Chinese · Emotions & Feelings
害怕
hàipà
To be afraid
Beginnerverb
Definition
To feel fear.
Example
她害怕一个人走夜路。
She is afraid of walking alone at night.
Etymology
The term '害怕' (hàipà) is composed of '害' (hài), which means 'to harm' or 'to injure,' and '怕' (pà), meaning 'to fear.' Together, they convey a sense of being harmed by fear, indicating an evolution of the emotional response associated with danger.
How & Where It’s Used
'害怕' is used in both spoken and written Chinese, commonly in informal contexts, especially in discussing emotions. It spans across different regions, but the pronunciation 'hàipà' remains consistent throughout Mandarin-speaking areas.