Usage of 害怕
The verb 害怕 (hài pà) means "to be afraid" or "to fear" and is commonly used to express fear or anxiety about something specific. It often appears with nouns indicating the source of fear, such as 黑暗 (darkness), 失败 (failure), or 打雷 (thunder).
Common Collocations
- 害怕 + noun: to be afraid of something (e.g., 害怕黑暗)
- 害怕 + verb phrase: to fear doing something (e.g., 害怕失败)
Nuances and Register
害怕 is neutral in tone and widely used in both spoken and written Mandarin. It can describe both mild and strong fear depending on context. It is often used to encourage others not to fear, as in 不要害怕.
Contrast with Similar Words
Unlike 怕, which can be used more casually and sometimes as a modal verb, 害怕 emphasizes a stronger or more explicit feeling of fear or dread. 害怕 is less likely to be used in very casual or colloquial speech alone without a specific object.
Common Mistake
Avoid using 害怕 without an object or context, as it usually requires specifying what one is afraid of. For example, saying just "我害怕" sounds incomplete; better to say "我害怕黑暗" or "我害怕失败."