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On'yomi
キョウ
KYOU
Kun'yomi
おそ.れる・おそ.る・おそ.ろしい・こわ.い・こわ.がる
osoreru / osoru / osoroshii / kowai / kowagaru

fear · dread · awe

Details

Strokes10
Frequency#878
Radicalheart(4)

Stroke Order

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Strokes10

Component Breakdown

=

巩 + heart

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of craft, table, and heart. Heart stiffening like craft.

Symbolism

Fear, dread, awe. Represents being afraid.

Related Culture & Scenes

  • Conquering fear

Words & Expressions

Four-Character Compounds

戦々恐々

せんせんきょうきょう

trembling with fear; in great fear; filled with trepidation; trembling with fear

恐悦至極

きょうえつしごく

extremely delighted; extremely delighted

恐懼感激

きょうくかんげき

being struck with awe; deeply moved with awe; being struck with awe

恐惶謹言

きょうこうきんげん

very truly yours; very respectfully yours; very truly yours

恐恐謹言

きょうきょうきんげん

very truly yours (a complimentary close used in a letter written in an old epistolary style); very truly yours (a complimentary close used in a letter written in an old epistolary style)

Proverbs & Idioms

恐るるに足らず

おそるるにたらず

Nothing to fear

There is no need to be afraid

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 恐 mean in Japanese?

恐 means fear, dread, awe.

How do you read 恐?

On'yomi: キョウ (KYOU). Kun'yomi: おそ.れる、おそ.る、おそ.ろしい、こわ.い、こわ.がる (osoreru, osoru, osoroshii, kowai, kowagaru).

How many strokes does 恐 have?

恐 has 10 strokes. Its radical is 心 (heart).

Is 恐 a good kanji for a tattoo?

Yes. 恐 (fear, dread, awe) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.

Explore by meaning:kanji for fear · kanji for dread · kanji for awe