Meaning

Primary

To Fear

Alternative

To Dread

Word Type

transitive verb, ichidan verb

Explanation

Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means fear so the verb version is to fear.

Reading

おそれる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading is shared with 恐ろしい, which is "scary." Use that, and don't be afraid. You'll be able to learn this reading yet.

Context

Context Sentences

失敗を恐れてばかりいては前に進めないよ。

You can't move forward if you always fear failure.

目が見えなくなること以外は、何も恐れることはないよ。

I’m not afraid of anything except for going blind.

Kanji Composition