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Grammar Levels
HSK 1
27 points
HSK 2
49 points
HSK 3
92 points
HSK 4
99 points
HSK 5
45 points
Resources
Expressing concern with 恐怕 (kǒngpà)
HSK 4Suggestion & Advice
Wishes & Desires
Structure
恐怕 + Clause
Explanation
恐怕 (kǒngpà) means "I'm afraid that…" or "I fear that…" and is used to express worry or a cautious prediction about an undesirable outcome. It softens the delivery of bad news or an unwelcome opinion. Despite containing 怕 (fear), it often functions more as a hedge than an expression of genuine fear.
Examples
今天云这么多，恐怕下午要下雨。
Jīntiān yún zhème duō, kǒngpà xiàwǔ yào xià yǔ.
There are so many clouds today; I'm afraid it will rain this afternoon.
时间不多了，恐怕我们赶不上火车了。
Shíjiān bù duō le, kǒngpà wǒmen gǎn bù shàng huǒchē le.
There isn't much time left; I'm afraid we won't catch the train.
他还没回复消息，恐怕是不同意吧。
Tā hái méi huífù xiāoxi, kǒngpà shì bù tóngyì ba.
He still hasn't replied to the message; I'm afraid he doesn't agree.