Definition
怕 (pà) has two uses: as a verb meaning 'to be afraid of' (similar to 害怕 but less intense and more common in everyday speech), and as an adverb meaning 'perhaps, I'm afraid that...' (like 恐怕 but less formal). 害怕 is a stronger, more emotional fear; 恐怕 is more polite and cautious in speculation.
verb
to be afraid ofto fear
adverb
perhapsI'm afraid that...
Easily confused
- 愣lènglook-alike(verb) to stare blankly, to be stupefied
- 爬pásound-aliketo crawl (on hands and knees)
- 拍pāilook-alike(verb) to pat, clap, slap, or strike (with the hand); to flap
- 趴pāsound-aliketo lie on one's stomach or to lean forward with one's upper body resting on something (e.g., a table, bed, floor)
- 百bǎilook-alikehundred
Examples
- 怕，。Wǒ pà hēi, wǎnshang bù gǎn yí gè rén chūmén.I'm afraid of the dark and don't dare go out alone at night.
- 怕，。pà nǐ bù xǐhuan chī là de, suǒyǐ méi fàng làjiāo.I was afraid you don't like spicy food, so I didn't add chili.
- 怕，。pà jīntiān huì xiàyǔ, nǐ dài sǎn ba.I'm afraid it might rain today — take an umbrella.
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