害怕 (hàipà) — to be afraid

害怕 (hàipà)

害怕 means to be afraid or to fear. It expresses a feeling of fear or fright in response to something dangerous, threatening, or unknown. It is used with 对 to say what one is afraid of, or directly before the feared thing.

Meanings

1. [verb] To be afraid; to fear; to be scared.

Example Sentences

我害怕黑暗。 Wǒ hàipà hēi'àn. I am afraid of the dark.

她不害怕困难。 Tā bù hàipà kùnnan. She is not afraid of difficulties.

孩子们害怕打针。 Háizimen hàipà dǎzhēn. Children are afraid of injections.

别害怕，我在这里。 Bié hàipà, wǒ zài zhèlǐ. Do not be afraid; I am here.

Collocations

Memory Hook

害 means harm or evil, and 怕 means to fear. When you sense harm nearby, 害怕 kicks in: your brain fires a warning that something harmful is close. Fear is the body's response to potential harm.