- 1.
(因顾虑后果而)害怕的 -
• He seems very afraid of losing the job. 他似乎很害怕丢掉这份工作。 -
• Don't be afraid to ask questions. 提问题不要有顾虑。 -
• afraid to continue 唯恐继续下去 - 2.
担心的 -
• I was afraid for her. 我为她担心。 - 3.
恐惧的 -
• be afraid of death 怕死 -
• The girl is afraid of thunder. 这小女孩害怕打雷。 - 4.
口 恐怕(有礼貌地表示惋惜) -
• I'm afraid we're late. 恐怕我们迟到了。 -
• “Will he recover?” “I'm afraid not.” “他会复原吗？”“恐怕不会了”。
用法说明
afraid
1. 与fear相比，be afraid (of) 在非正式场合下要常用得多。
Don't be afraid.别害怕。
Are you afraid of the dark? 你害怕黑暗吗？(人们日常生活中一般不会说Do you fear the dark?)
I'm afraid的意思往往相当于I'm sorry, but...，用来引出带有歉意地回绝或是引出不好的消息等。
I'm afraid I can't help you.我恐怕帮不了你的忙。
I'm afraid your wife's had an accident.你的夫人恐怕遇上意外了。
I'm afraid not和I'm afraid so常用作答语。
-Can you lend me a pound?你能借给我一英镑吗？
-I'm afraid not.恐怕不行。
Yes, I'm afraid so.恐怕是的。
2. afraid前面不能使用程度副词very,但可以用very much(特别是表达I'm sorry之义时)。
I'm very much afraid he's out.非常抱歉，他不在家。
3. be afraid of doing something和be afraid to do something都作“恐怕”或“生怕”讲，但侧重点各不相同：前者所考虑的是后果，而后者所考虑的则是条件。
The mother was afraid of waking her baby up.母亲生怕吵醒小宝宝。(因为小宝宝病了，需要多睡一会儿)
The mother was afraid to wake her baby up. 母亲生怕吵醒小宝宝。(因为小宝宝被吵醒后，会哭个不停)