sich fürchten vor
to be afraid of
To be afraid of a specific person, thing, or situation.
EXAMPLE
Mein kleiner Bruder fürchtet sich vor großen Hunden.
My little brother is afraid of big dogs.
fürchten
to fear
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
fürchten
to fear
To have the fear or worry that an unwanted event might happen. Often used with a 'dass' (that) clause.
EXAMPLE
Ich fürchte, dass wir den Termin nicht einhalten können.
I fear that we won't be able to meet the deadline.
fürchten
to fear
To have great respect or awe for an authority or a higher power. This meaning is rather formal or outdated.
EXAMPLE
Die Menschen wurden gelehrt, den Zorn der Götter zu fürchten.
People were taught to fear the wrath of the gods.
Usage tips
Two important structures
Remember two central constructions: 'sich fürchten vor + Dativ' (to be afraid of + dative) expresses fear of a concrete thing. 'Fürchten, dass ...' (to fear that ...) introduces a subordinate clause and describes a worry or fear about a situation.
EXAMPLE
Viele Menschen fürchten sich vor Spinnen.
Many people are afraid of spiders.
Reflexive with preposition
When someone is afraid of a specific thing or person, 'fürchten' (to fear) is used reflexively with 'sich' and the preposition 'vor' + dative. The reflexive pronoun is obligatory here.
EXAMPLE
Sie fürchtet sich vor der Prüfung am Montag.
She is afraid of the exam on Monday.
Polite introduction
The phrase 'Ich fürchte, ...' (I'm afraid ...) is often used in everyday language as a polite introduction to bad news or a refusal. It expresses regret.
EXAMPLE
Ich fürchte, ich kann Ihnen dabei nicht helfen.
I'm afraid I can't help you with that.
Compare with
fürchten vs sorgen
to take care / worry
Sich sorgen um and fürchten can both express a negative expectation or uncertainty. Sich sorgen um generally refers to concern, while fürchten usually emphasizes a more specific or more strongly anticipated danger. Use fürchten when the possible unwanted consequence is especially clearly at the center of attention.
fürchten
Die Eltern fürchten, dass ihr Sohn auf dem Heimweg einen Unfall hatte.
The parents fear that their son was in an accident on the way home.
sorgen
Die Eltern sorgen sich um ihren Sohn, weil er noch nicht zu Hause ist.
The parents are worried about their son because he still hasn’t come home.
In real life
Loading video examples...