恐怕 (I'm afraid / probably) · 恐怕 + 主语⋯⋯
A concerned estimate is still an estimate
- Travel is taking longer than expected and the deadline is near.
- 恐怕来不及了。 — The speaker cautiously expects that there may not be enough time.
A concerned estimate is still an estimate
- Travel is taking longer than expected and the deadline is near.
- fear恐怕there's not enough time (to…来不及(completed / change)了。 — The speaker cautiously expects that there may not be enough time.
Travel is taking longer than expected and the deadline is near. What does 恐怕来不及了。 communicate?
The speaker cautiously expects that there may not be enough time. 恐怕 often introduces an unwelcome estimate, but can also express a tentative evaluation. It neither proves the result nor requires literal terror.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is 恐怕 (I'm afraid / probably). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
I'm afraid恐怕not in time来不及了。
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is fear恐怕 (I'm afraid / probably). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
I'm afraid恐怕not in time来不及了。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: I'm afraid we won't make it: ____ 来不及了。
恐怕 + Clause = I'm afraid / probably: 恐怕来不及了. · 恐怕 + 分句 = 恐怕:恐怕来不及了。
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, 恐怕来不及了。: The speaker cautiously expects that there may not be enough time.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, fear恐怕there's not enough time (to…来不及(completed / change)了。: The speaker cautiously expects that there may not be enough time.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
What does 恐怕 express? · 恐怕 表达什么?
恐怕 softens an unwelcome “probably” — not real fear. · 恐怕 委婉地说“恐怕、大概”—— 不是真的害怕。
Know the boundary
- 恐怕 often introduces an unwelcome estimate, but can also express a tentative evaluation.
- It neither proves the result nor requires literal terror.
Know the boundary
- fear恐怕 often introduces an unwelcome estimate, but can also express a tentative evaluation.
- It neither proves the result nor requires literal terror.
恐怕 means the speaker is literally terrified. · 恐怕 表示说话人真的很恐惧。
It's a hedged, worried “probably”, not literal fear. · 它是委婉、担忧的“大概”,不是真的恐惧。
In the opening situation: The speaker cautiously expects that there may not be enough time.
恐怕 often introduces an unwelcome estimate, but can also express a tentative evaluation. It neither proves the result nor requires literal terror. The speaker cautiously expects that there may not be enough time.
Use the distinction
- The speaker cautiously expects that there may not be enough time.
- 恐怕 often introduces an unwelcome estimate, but can also express a tentative evaluation. It neither proves the result nor requires literal terror.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Adverbs.
Use the distinction
- The speaker cautiously expects that there may not be enough time.
- fear恐怕 often introduces an unwelcome estimate, but can also express a tentative evaluation. It neither proves the result nor requires literal terror.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Adverbs.