惧 means “dread, apprehension”

ぐ · gu

Also: fear, be afraid of

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

おそれる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ク, グ

JLPT N1 · Taught in secondary school · 11 strokes

The story

A heart (忄) beside 具, a set of tools: picture the heart laying out every way things could go wrong. 惧 is dread: 危惧 is grave concern, and 絶滅危惧種 is an endangered species, a list that includes the Japanese eel.

Used in 危惧 (kigu, apprehension/concern) and 絶滅危惧種 (zetsumetsu kigushu, endangered species)

More from Fear & Shame

• 嚇 menace
• 凄 tremendous
• 畏 awe
• 慄 shudder
• 臆 timid
• 虞 risk
• 羞 shame
• 焦 fret
• 脅 threaten
• 辱 disgrace
• 慌 panic

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.