恐怕
kǒngpà
To fear, to be afraid
How to express concern with 恐怕 (kǒngpà) in Chinese
恐怕 (kǒngpà) + Clause
恐怕 (kǒng pà) — I'm afraid that...
HSK 4Adverbs
恐怕 (kǒngpà) + Clause
HSK 4Adverbs恐怕 (kǒng pà) — I'm afraid that...
Rule structure
恐怕 (kǒngpà) means "I’m afraid, perhaps". It expresses worry or uncertainty, often about a negative outcome. It softens the tone.
Rule structure
恐怕 (kǒngpà) means "I’m afraid, perhaps". It expresses worry or uncertainty, often about a negative outcome. It softens the tone.
Examples
恐怕他来不了了。
Kǒngpà tā lái bù liǎo le.
I’m afraid he won’t be able to come.
恐怕我们迟到了。
Kǒngpà wǒmen chídào le.
I’m afraid we are late.
Examples
恐怕他来不了了。
Kǒngpà tā lái bù liǎo le.
I’m afraid he won’t be able to come.
恐怕我们迟到了。
Kǒngpà wǒmen chídào le.
I’m afraid we are late.
Practice
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Characters
Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “I'm afraid that...” in Chinese with 恐怕?
Use the structure: 恐怕 (kǒngpà) + Clause. For example: 恐怕他来不了了。 — “I’m afraid he won’t be able to come”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
恐怕他来不了了。 — “I’m afraid he won’t be able to come”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.
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More HSK 4 grammar rules
原来 — it turns out, originally
Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate
千万 — don't, whatever you do
千万 (qiānwàn) + (别 (bié) / 不 (bù)) + Verb
正好 — just in time, coincidence
Subj. + 正好 (zhènghǎo) + Verb / Adj.
不得不 — have to, forced to
Subj. + 不得不 (bùdébù) + Verb Phrase
也 都 — also all
Subj. + 也 (yě) + 都 (dōu) + Verb
究竟 — in the end
究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question word / Question
从来 — never in negative contexts
从来 (cónglái) + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + 不 (bù)/没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.
竟然 — unexpectedly
Subj. + 竟然 (jìngrán) + Verb / Adj.