lest; for fear that; afraid of
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to fear that; lest; for fear that
Used to express anxiety about a potential negative outcome. Often followed by undesirable consequences. Also written as 惟恐.
Tā他
wéi唯
kǒng恐
luò落
hòu后
，
měi每
tiān天
dōu都
zài在
nǔ努
lì力
xué学
xí习
。
He fears falling behind, so he studies hard every day.
Wǒ我
wéi唯
kǒng恐
chí迟
dào到
，
tí提
qián前
bàn半
xiǎo小
shí时
jiù就
dào到
le了
gōng公
sī司
。
I was afraid of being late, so I arrived at the company half an hour early.
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Yǒu有
xiē些
rén人
wéi唯
kǒng恐
tiān天
xià下
bù不
luàn乱
，
zǒng总
shì是
zhì制
zào造
yáo谣
yán言
。
Some people just want to see the world burn, always spreading rumors.
Tā他
wéi唯
kǒng恐
bié别
rén人
bù不
zhī知
dào道
tā他
yǒu有
qián钱
，
dào到
chù处
xuàn炫
yào耀
。
He feared lest others not know he was rich, so he showed off everywhere.