惶恐

huángkǒng

adjective #17,053

Meanings

Both characters mean 'fear' - the doubling intensifies the sense of dread.

HSK 3

听到消息后，他感到十分惶恐。

Tīngdào xiāoxi hòu, tā gǎndào shífēn huángkǒng.

After hearing the news, he felt very terrified.

HSK 3

她惶恐不安地等待着结果。

Tā huángkǒng-bù'ān de děngdài zhe jiéguǒ.

She waited for the results in anxious dread.

惶恐 is literary/formal. In everyday speech, 害怕 (hàipà) or 恐惧 (kǒngjù) are more natural for expressing fear.

惶 huáng

恐 kǒng