Quick answer
恐 is the kanji for "Fear". A common reading is おそ.れる (osoreru). You can also practice writing it on this page.
Meaning
Fear
Also : Awe · Dread
Learn 恐 with SRS
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
10 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 恐 represents 'FEAR'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of fear.
On-reading: きょう — remember this sound by associating it with fear. Kun-reading: おそ.れる.
Example Sentences
地震が恐ろしかったです。
じしんがおそろしかったです。
The earthquake was frightening.
恐竜の展示を見ました。
きょうりゅうのてんじをみました。
I saw the dinosaur exhibition.
Vocabulary using 恐
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
Learn 恐 with Spaced Repetition
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