for fear that; lest; afraid that
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesconjunction
for fear that; lest; afraid that
neutralEquivalent to 唯恐. Introduces an undesirable outcome that one wishes to avoid. Slightly more formal than 怕 alone.
Tā他
tí提
qián前
chū出
fā发
le了
，
wéi惟
kǒng恐
chí迟
dào到
。
He left early for fear of being late.
Tā她
shuō说
huà话
hěn很
xiǎo小
shēng声
，
wéi惟
kǒng恐
chǎo吵
xǐng醒
hái孩
zi子
。
She spoke very quietly lest she wake the child.
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Wǒ我
bù不
gǎn敢
jù拒
jué绝
，
wéi惟
kǒng恐
dé得
zuì罪
tā他
。
I dare not refuse for fear of offending him.