sợ
English meaning: To be afraid
Definition
Feeling fear.
Example
“Em bé sợ sấm sét.”
In English: “The baby is afraid of thunder.”
Another example: “Em bé sợ chó nên không dám lại gần.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Core verb 'to fear / be afraid of', taking a direct object ('sợ ma' = afraid of ghosts). Neutral and very common; also used as 'sợ rằng' (afraid that) to express worry in speech and writing.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
The word 'sợ' is derived from the Old Vietnamese term 'sở', which has roots in Proto-Mon-Khmer, indicating an existing concept of fear across different languages. Historically, it has retained its core meaning of fearfulness throughout its linguistic evolution.
Common Collocations
- sợ hãi
- sợ ma
- đáng sợ
- sợ rằng
- sợ chết
Word Forms
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Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“Trăm năm trong cõi người ta, chữ tài chữ mệnh khéo là ghét nhau”
/Tram nam trong coi nguoi ta, chu tai chu menh kheo la ghet nhau/
“In a century of human life, talent and fate seem always at odds with each other.”
“Không có gì quý hơn độc lập, tự do”
/Khong co gi quy hon doc lap, tu do/
“Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- Tiếng Việt
- Vietnamese
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Austroasiatic
- Speakers
- 85M