虞
虞·fear, risk that (something bad will happen), anxiety
- On-yomi
- グ
- Kun-yomi
- おそれ
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 虞 | おそれ | risk, danger that something bad may happen |
| 虞がある | おそれがある | there is a risk that (written/legal phrasing) |
| 虞犯少年 | ぐはんしょうねん | juvenile at risk of offending (legal term) |
| 虞美人草 | ぐびじんそう | corn poppy; the title of a Soseki novel |
Example sentences
大雨で川が氾濫する虞がある。
おおあめでかわがはんらんするおそれがある。
There is a risk the river will flood in this heavy rain.
情報が漏れる虞は否定できない。
じょうほうがもれるおそれはひていできない。
The risk of information leaking cannot be ruled out.
健康に害を及ぼす虞のある薬品だ。
けんこうにがいをおよぼすおそれのあるやくひんだ。
It is a chemical that may be harmful to health.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Writing おそれ as 虞 in ordinary prose — 恐れ is the everyday word; 虞 belongs to laws and formal notices
- Reading 虞 as ぐ when it stands alone — as a noun it is おそれ
Memory aid
Picture it
The tiger's stripes 虍 arching over the character: the unease of knowing a tiger may be close — the risk that something bad happens.
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 虞 mean?