恐れがある
🃏 Flashcard
恐れがある
osore ga aru
Tap to reveal usage
it is feared that; to be in danger of
N2
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📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N2
Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage
Reading
osore ga aru
Post ID
51124
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
it is feared that; to be in danger of
📖 How to use it
Expresses a negative possibility or danger that something bad might happen.
Attaches to
Attach to the dictionary form of a verb, or to a noun followed by の (e.g., 失敗の恐れがある).
This pattern is used to warn about a potential negative outcome, often in news, weather reports, or official announcements. It sounds formal and serious, not something you'd say in casual conversation. The basic structure is: [verb dictionary form] 恐れがある, or [noun] の恐れがある. For example, 地震が起こる恐れがある means 'there is a fear that an earthquake will occur'. It focuses on the speaker's concern or the objective risk, not a personal opinion.
大雨が続くと、洪水が起こる恐れがある。
Ōame ga tsuzuku to, kōzui ga okoru osore ga aru.
If the heavy rain continues, there is a risk of flooding.
この薬には副作用が出る恐れがあるので、医者に相談してください。
Kono kusuri ni wa fukusayō ga deru osore ga aru node, isha ni sōdan shite kudasai.
This medicine may cause side effects, so please consult a doctor.
台風の影響で、電車が遅れる恐れがあります。
Taifū no eikyō de, densha ga okureru osore ga arimasu.
Due to the typhoon, there is a danger that trains will be delayed.
Not かもしれない
かもしれない simply means 'might' and can be used for positive or neutral possibilities in casual speech. 恐れがある is specifically for negative outcomes, is formal, and implies a stronger sense of risk or concern.
Register
Formal and written; commonly used in news reports, official notices, and serious warnings, not in everyday conversation.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
恐れがある
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat 恐れがある three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using 恐れがある. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N2 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern 恐れがある mean?
▼
It is feared that; to be in danger of
What JLPT level is 恐れがある?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use 恐れがある in a sentence?
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Attach 恐れがある (osore ga aru) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is 恐れがある formal or casual Japanese?
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恐れがある is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember 恐れがある long-term?
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Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.