Grammar Point:
The Chinese word 恐怕 kǒngpà shows uncertainty, caution, or worry. It’s used when stating something hesitantly. In English, it’s like “I’m afraid that,” “perhaps,” or “probably.” This adverb cannot be negate nor can it be used in questions.
Structure
S + 恐怕 kǒngpà
When using this structure, please remember not to repeat the subject as you would in English. Additionally, since you cannot have two subjects in this structure, the subject before 恐怕 kǒngpà and the implied subject after it must be the same.
他恐怕不能去你的派對他恐怕不能去你的派对
I’m afraid he can’t make it to your party.
我這週末恐怕沒有時間我这周末恐怕没有时间
I’m afraid I don’t have time this weekend.
明天恐怕會下雨,你最好帶雨傘出門明天恐怕会下雨,你最好带雨伞出门
It’s likely to rain tomorrow, you’d better take an umbrella with you.
這個問題恐怕沒辦法解決这个问题恐怕没办法解决
This problem might be difficult to solve, I’m afraid.
我功課做不完,今晚恐怕得熬夜了我功课做不完,今晚恐怕得开夜车了
I won’t be able to finish my homework; I might have to stay up late tonight.
在台灣如果撿到錢包帶回家,你恐怕會有大問題在台湾如果捡到钱包带回家,你恐怕会有大问题
If you find a wallet and take it home in Taiwan, you might encounter significant problems.
FYI
In Taiwan, we really care about safety, so we have lots of security cameras everywhere. This matters a lot when you find a wallet and cellphone. Since there are cameras all over public places, you might end up on video if you don’t try to give the wallet back. Cameras make people act ethically, keeping the community values strong. That’s why wallets and phones stay untouched sometimes.
Common Mistakes
他恐怕他恐怕他他不能去你的派對不能去你的派对 X
He is afraid he can’t make it to your party.
(two subjects X)
我恐怕今天天氣不好我恐怕今天天气不好 X
I’m afraid the weather is not good today.
(subject 1 is “I” but subject 2 is “the weather” X)
Practice
TouchHover over the space to see the answers.
✔️ I’m afraid I might be 30 minutes late; the traffic is heavy today.
我恐怕會遲到30分鐘,今天路上很塞我恐怕会迟到30分钟,今天路上很塞
✔️ You haven’t attended class for two weeks, so you might not understand today’s lesson.
你2個禮拜沒來上課,恐怕會聽不懂今天的課你2个礼拜没来上课,恐怕会听不懂今天的课
✔️ If you don’t feed him on time, he might become very irritable.
如果你沒準時給他飯,他恐怕會變得很暴躁如果你没准时给他饭,他恐怕会变得很暴躁
- “Afraid” in Chinese (怕 pà, 害怕 hàipà, 可怕 kěpà, and 恐怕 kǒngpà)