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A2 phrase #1,500 가장 일반적인 9분 분량

avoir peur

To experience fear; to be afraid.

상위 1,500

At the A1 level, learners focus on the most basic form of 'avoir peur'. You learn to conjugate the verb 'avoir' in the present tense (j'ai, tu as, il a, etc.) and pair it with the word 'peur'. The focus is on simple survival French: expressing that you are afraid of something common, like 'le noir' (the dark) or 'les araignées' (spiders). You learn that it is 'avoir' and not 'être'. This is a foundational step in moving away from literal English-to-French translation. You also learn to use 'un peu' or 'très' to modify the intensity. The goal is to be able to say 'I am afraid' or 'Are you afraid?' in simple situations. You might not yet use the preposition 'de' perfectly, but the core meaning is communicated. It's about recognizing the pattern 'Subject + Avoir + Peur'.

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At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'avoir peur' to include actions and more specific objects. You master the use of the preposition 'de' followed by a noun or an infinitive verb. For example, 'J'ai peur de rater le bus' or 'Il a peur des chiens'. You also begin to use the phrase in the past tense (Passé Composé) to describe a moment when you got scared ('J'ai eu peur'). You start to understand the difference between 'avoir peur' (feeling fear) and 'faire peur' (being scary). You can participate in basic conversations about your fears and ask others about theirs using more varied structures. You also learn the imperative form 'N'aie pas peur' to comfort others. This level is about building functional fluency with the phrase in daily life contexts.

At the B1 level, you transition into more complex grammatical territory. You begin using 'avoir peur que' followed by the subjunctive mood. This allows you to express fear about what someone else might do or what might happen ('J'ai peur qu'il ne pleuve'). You also learn to use the 'ne explétif' in these structures, which is a hallmark of reaching an intermediate level. Your vocabulary expands to include synonyms like 's'inquiéter' or 'craindre', and you learn when to choose 'avoir peur' over them. You can describe fears in the future tense or the conditional ('J'aurais peur si...'). You also start to recognize common idiomatic expressions like 'avoir une peur bleue'. At this stage, you can discuss abstract fears, such as the fear of failure or social anxiety, with more nuance.

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At the B2 level, your use of 'avoir peur' becomes quite natural and nuanced. You can use it in a wide range of registers, from very formal ('Je crains que...') to colloquial ('J'ai la trouille'). You understand the subtle differences in meaning when 'avoir peur' is used in professional contexts versus personal ones. You are comfortable with the subjunctive and the 'ne explétif' in all tenses. You can use the phrase to express irony or polite regret ('J'ai bien peur que nous soyons complets'). You also start to use more sophisticated adverbs and adjectives to describe fear, such as 'une peur viscérale' or 'une peur panique'. You can analyze the use of fear as a theme in French literature or media and discuss it fluently. Your control over the prepositional structures is near-perfect.

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At the C1 level, you use 'avoir peur' with the precision of a native speaker. You are aware of the historical and etymological roots of the phrase and how it compares to more literary verbs like 'redouter' or 's'effrayer'. You can use 'avoir peur' in complex rhetorical structures and understand its role in creating tone and atmosphere in writing. You are familiar with obscure idioms and regional variations of the phrase. You can distinguish between the psychological state of 'angoisse' and the immediate reaction of 'peur' in a philosophical or clinical discussion. Your use of the 'ne explétif' is instinctive and used to achieve specific stylistic effects. You can also handle the phrase in complex negative-interrogative structures without hesitation.

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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over 'avoir peur' and all its related expressions. You can use the phrase to convey subtle shades of meaning, including existential dread, social hesitation, or physical terror, choosing the exact synonym or idiom that fits the context perfectly. You are comfortable using the phrase in high-level academic or literary analysis. You can play with the language, using 'avoir peur' in puns, metaphors, or creative writing. You understand the deep cultural connotations of fear in French history and society and can discuss them with sophistication. There is no grammatical structure involving 'avoir peur' that you cannot navigate, and your pronunciation and intonation convey the exact level of emotion intended.

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avoir peur 30초 만에

Avoir peur means 'to be afraid' and uses the verb 'avoir' (to have) rather than 'être' (to be).
Use 'avoir peur de' before a noun or an infinitive verb to specify the source of fear.
In formal contexts or with 'que', it often requires the subjunctive mood and the 'ne explétif'.
It is a versatile phrase used for everything from phobias to polite expressions of regret.

The French phrase avoir peur is a fundamental idiomatic expression used to describe the emotional state of fear. Unlike English, which uses the verb 'to be' (I am afraid), French utilizes the verb 'avoir' (to have), literally translating to 'to have fear'. This distinction is crucial for learners at the A2 level to master, as it reflects a broader pattern in French where internal states—like hunger (avoir faim), thirst (avoir soif), or age (avoir ... ans)—are possessed rather than being an identity of the subject.

Grammatical Core: The phrase consists of the auxiliary verb 'avoir' conjugated to the subject, followed by the noun 'peur'. Because 'peur' is a noun here, it does not change based on gender or number.

Depuis qu'il est petit, il a peur du noir.

Understanding 'avoir peur' requires recognizing that 'peur' acts as the object. You can quantify this fear using adverbs like 'très' (very) or 'un peu' (a little), though 'grand' (big) is often used with the noun form in more formal contexts. In daily conversation, 'avoir très peur' is the standard way to say 'to be very afraid'.

Semantic Range: It covers everything from a mild apprehension to a paralyzing terror. It is the general-purpose term for fear in the French language.

N'aie pas peur, le chien est très gentil.

The phrase is also used in polite expressions of regret or hesitation. For example, 'J'ai peur que...' can mean 'I'm afraid that...' in the sense of 'I'm sorry to say that...'. This usage often triggers the subjunctive mood in the following clause, which is a key milestone for intermediate learners.

J'ai peur de ne pas pouvoir venir ce soir.

Intensity Variation: To express extreme fear, one might say 'avoir une peur bleue' (to be terrified/blue with fear) or 'mourir de peur' (to be dying of fear).

Elle a eu une peur bleue quand elle a vu l'araignée.

Nous avons peur pour l'avenir de la planète.

Using avoir peur correctly involves mastering three main structural patterns. The first is the most simple: 'avoir peur' on its own or followed by a noun. When followed by a noun, you must use the preposition 'de' (of). This 'de' will contract with articles (de + le = du, de + les = des).

Pattern 1: Avoir peur de + Noun: This is used to identify the object of fear. Example: 'J'ai peur des serpents' (I am afraid of snakes).

Est-ce que tu as peur du vide ?

The second pattern involves actions. If you are afraid of doing something, you use 'avoir peur de' followed by an infinitive verb. The 'de' remains mandatory here. This is a common way to express anxiety about future events or specific activities.

Pattern 2: Avoir peur de + Infinitive: Used for actions. Example: 'Il a peur de nager dans l'océan' (He is afraid of swimming in the ocean).

Elle a peur de parler en public.

The third and most complex pattern is 'avoir peur que' followed by a full clause. This structure requires the subjunctive mood. Additionally, in formal French, a 'ne explétif' is often added before the verb in the subjunctive clause, though it does not change the meaning to negative.

Pattern 3: Avoir peur que + Subjunctive: Used when the subject of the fear is different from the subject of the action. Example: 'J'ai peur qu'il pleuve' (I'm afraid it might rain).

Mes parents ont peur que je sois en retard.

In terms of word order, 'avoir' is conjugated as usual. In questions, you can use inversion ('As-tu peur ?'), 'est-ce que' ('Est-ce que tu as peur ?'), or rising intonation ('Tu as peur ?'). In negative sentences, 'ne' and 'pas' surround the conjugated form of 'avoir'.

Je n'ai pas peur de toi !

Vous avez peur de quoi exactement ?

You will encounter avoir peur in almost every facet of French life, from high-stakes cinema to casual playground talk. In movies, especially thrillers or dramas, characters frequently express their vulnerability using this phrase. It is the go-to expression for expressing stakes and emotional depth.

In Cinema and Literature: Characters often whisper 'J'ai peur' to signal a turning point in the plot. It is used to build tension and empathy with the audience.

'J'ai peur pour nous,' dit-elle dans le film.

In news and media, 'avoir peur' is used to describe public sentiment regarding economic shifts, political changes, or environmental crises. Headlines might read 'Les Français ont peur de l'inflation' (The French are afraid of inflation). It serves as a metric for social climate.

In Daily Conversation: Parents use it with children ('N'aie pas peur !'), friends use it to discuss phobias, and colleagues use it to express professional concerns.

Tu as peur de l'examen de demain ?

In the medical or psychological field, doctors might ask patients 'De quoi avez-vous peur ?' to diagnose anxieties or phobias. It is a clinical yet accessible way to discuss mental health. In the workplace, it might be used more figuratively to describe a fear of failure or missing a deadline.

In Sports: Athletes might talk about 'avoir peur de perdre' (fear of losing) or 'avoir peur de se blesser' (fear of getting injured) during interviews.

L'équipe adverse a peur de notre attaque.

Finally, in the context of travel and tourism, you'll hear it regarding common anxieties like flying (avoir peur de l'avion) or getting lost in a foreign city. It is a phrase that connects human vulnerability across all social strata.

Beaucoup de gens ont peur de voyager seuls.

The most frequent mistake learners make with avoir peur is a direct translation from English: using 'être' (to be) instead of 'avoir' (to have). Saying 'Je suis peur' is a major error that immediately marks one as a beginner. In French, you *have* fear; you are not fear itself.

Mistake 1: Using 'Être': Incorrect: 'Je suis peur'. Correct: 'J'ai peur'. This is the 'Golden Rule' of French physiological and emotional states.

Ne dites pas 'Je suis peur', dites 'J'ai peur'.

Another common pitfall is forgetting the preposition 'de' when specifying the cause of the fear. English says 'afraid of', and French says 'peur de'. However, learners often omit 'de' or use 'pour' (for) incorrectly when they mean 'of'.

Mistake 2: Omitting 'De': Incorrect: 'J'ai peur le chien'. Correct: 'J'ai peur du chien' (de + le). The preposition is essential for connecting the noun.

Il a peur de tomber.

Confusion between 'avoir peur' and 'faire peur' is also rampant. 'Avoir peur' means *to be* afraid (the subject feels fear), whereas 'faire peur' means *to scare* someone (the subject causes fear). Swapping these changes the meaning entirely.

Mistake 3: Avoir vs Faire: 'J'ai peur' = I am scared. 'Je fais peur' = I am scary/I scare people.

Ce masque me fait peur !

Finally, learners often struggle with the 'ne explétif' in formal writing. While not a 'mistake' to omit it in casual speech, omitting it in a formal exam when using 'avoir peur que' might lose you points. Conversely, adding a 'pas' when you don't mean a negative is a real error.

J'ai peur qu'il ne pleuve (formal but positive meaning).

Mistake 4: Adverb Placement: Learners often put 'très' after 'peur'. Correct: 'J'ai très peur'. Incorrect: 'J'ai peur très'.

Nous avons très peur pour lui.

While avoir peur is the most common way to express fear, French offers a rich palette of synonyms that vary in intensity and register. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise communication and better comprehension of literature.

Craindre vs Avoir Peur: 'Craindre' is more formal and often implies a sense of apprehension or respect rather than visceral terror. Example: 'Je crains le pire' (I fear the worst).

Je crains que vous n'ayez raison.

For a more intense or literary version, one might use 'redouter'. This suggests a deep-seated dread of a future event. It is stronger than 'craindre' and more specific than 'avoir peur'.

Redouter: To dread or stand in awe/fear of. Example: 'Il redoute la confrontation' (He dreads the confrontation).

Elle redoute l'arrivée de l'hiver.

In casual, everyday French, you will often hear 's'inquiéter' (to worry) or 'se faire du souci'. These are less about 'fear' and more about 'anxiety' or 'concern'. They are essential for social interactions where 'peur' might sound too dramatic.

Effrayer: A verb meaning 'to frighten'. 'Être effrayé' is the passive form, which is very close to 'avoir peur' but sounds slightly more formal.

Le bruit m'a effrayé.

Finally, slang terms like 'avoir les jetons' or 'avoir la trouille' are extremely common in spoken French among friends. They add a layer of colloquial authenticity to your speech but should be avoided in professional or academic settings.

Arrête, j'ai la trouille !

Angoisser: To feel intense anxiety or angst. It is more psychological and long-term than the immediate 'avoir peur'.

L'idée de déménager m'angoisse.

How Formal Is It?

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J'ai peur.

I am afraid.

Uses 'avoir' in the present tense.

Tu as peur du noir ?

Are you afraid of the dark?

'du' is the contraction of 'de + le'.

Il a peur des chiens.

He is afraid of dogs.

'des' is the contraction of 'de + les'.

Nous avons peur.

We are afraid.

First person plural of 'avoir'.

Vous avez peur ?

Are you (plural/formal) afraid?

Question using intonation.

Elles ont peur du chat.

They (feminine) are afraid of the cat.

Third person plural of 'avoir'.

Je n'ai pas peur.

I am not afraid.

Negative structure 'ne...pas'.

On a peur !

We are afraid! (informal)

'On' uses the third person singular.

J'ai peur de rater le train.

I'm afraid of missing the train.

'de' + infinitive verb.

Elle a peur de parler français.

She is afraid of speaking French.

Expressing fear of an action.

N'aie pas peur de moi.

Don't be afraid of me.

Imperative mood of 'avoir'.

Est-ce que tu as eu peur ?

Did you get scared?

Passé composé of 'avoir'.

Ils ont peur de perdre le match.

They are afraid of losing the match.

'de' + infinitive.

J'ai très peur de l'orage.

I am very afraid of the storm.

'très' modifies the noun 'peur'.

Pourquoi as-tu peur de nager ?

Why are you afraid of swimming?

Question with inversion.

Nous avons peur de faire une erreur.

We are afraid of making a mistake.

'de' + infinitive.

J'ai peur qu'il soit trop tard.

I'm afraid it might be too late.

Subjunctive mood after 'que'.

Elle avait peur que tu ne viennes pas.

She was afraid you wouldn't come.

Imperfect tense + subjunctive + ne explétif.

Nous avions peur de vous déranger.

We were afraid of disturbing you.

Imperfect tense.

J'ai peur de ne pas réussir mon examen.

I'm afraid of not passing my exam.

Negative infinitive 'ne pas réussir'.

Il a peur que sa voiture tombe en panne.

He is afraid his car might break down.

Subjunctive mood.

Avez-vous peur que le prix augmente ?

Are you afraid the price will go up?

Subjunctive mood.

J'ai une peur bleue des serpents.

I am terrified of snakes.

Idiomatic expression 'peur bleue'.

Elle a peur de s'ennuyer pendant les vacances.

She is afraid of being bored during the holidays.

Reflexive infinitive.

Je crains qu'il n'ait pas compris mon message.

I fear he hasn't understood my message.

Using 'craindre' as a synonym.

Il a peur que la situation ne s'aggrave.

He is afraid the situation might get worse.

Subjunctive with 'ne explétif'.

Nous avons peur de paraître ridicules.

We are afraid of looking ridiculous.

Social fear.

J'ai bien peur que nous ne puissions rien faire.

I'm very much afraid there's nothing we can do.

Polite regret.

Elle a peur de s'engager dans une relation sérieuse.

She is afraid of committing to a serious relationship.

Abstract fear.

Ils ont peur que leur secret soit découvert.

They are afraid their secret will be discovered.

Passive subjunctive.

J'ai peur de ne pas être à la hauteur de vos attentes.

I'm afraid of not living up to your expectations.

Idiomatic 'être à la hauteur'.

N'ayez pas peur d'exprimer votre opinion.

Don't be afraid to express your opinion.

Formal imperative.

L'auteur exprime la peur que l'humanité ne perde son âme.

The author expresses the fear that humanity might lose its soul.

Abstract literary usage.

Il redoutait par-dessus tout d'être trahi par ses proches.

He dreaded above all being betrayed by those close to him.

Using 'redouter' for deep fear.

J'ai peur que ce ne soit qu'un début.

I'm afraid this is only the beginning.

Subjunctive with 'ne explétif'.

Elle a peur de succomber à la tentation.

She is afraid of succumbing to temptation.

Formal verb 'succomber'.

Nous avons peur que les répercussions ne soient irréversibles.

We are afraid the repercussions might be irreversible.

Academic context.

Il a peur de voir ses efforts réduits à néant.

He is afraid of seeing his efforts come to nothing.

Literary expression 'réduits à néant'.

J'ai peur que vous ne fassiez fausse route.

I'm afraid you are on the wrong track.

Idiomatic 'faire fausse route'.

Elle a peur de s'aliéner ses collègues.

She is afraid of alienating her colleagues.

Sophisticated vocabulary.

L'angoisse existentielle qu'il ressent surpasse la simple peur de la mort.

The existential angst he feels surpasses the simple fear of death.

Distinguishing 'angoisse' and 'peur'.

On peut légitimement avoir peur que le contrat social ne se délite.

One can legitimately fear that the social contract is unraveling.

High-level political discourse.

Il a peur que son œuvre ne tombe dans l'oubli.

He is afraid his work will fall into oblivion.

Literary 'tomber dans l'oubli'.

J'ai bien peur que votre argumentation ne repose sur des prémisses erronées.

I'm very much afraid your argument is based on flawed premises.

Academic critique.

Elle a peur de ne pouvoir concilier ses ambitions et ses valeurs.

She is afraid of not being able to reconcile her ambitions and her values.

Omission of 'pas' with 'pouvoir' in formal style.

Nous avons peur que l'inertie bureaucratique n'étouffe l'innovation.

We fear that bureaucratic inertia might stifle innovation.

Metaphorical usage.

Il a peur de se voir dépossédé de son identité.

He is afraid of seeing himself stripped of his identity.

Reflexive passive structure.

J'ai peur que nous n'ayons atteint le point de non-retour.

I'm afraid we have reached the point of no return.

Idiomatic 'point de non-retour'.

자주 쓰는 조합

avoir très peur

avoir un peu peur

avoir une peur bleue

avoir peur de tout

avoir peur pour quelqu'un

mourir de peur

trembler de peur

faire peur à quelqu'un

n'avoir peur de rien

avoir peur du vide

자주 쓰는 구문

J'ai peur que oui.

J'ai peur que non.

N'aie pas peur.

N'ayez pas peur.

Il n'y a pas de quoi avoir peur.

J'ai peur de vous déranger.

Même pas peur !

J'ai eu la peur de ma vie.

Sans peur et sans reproche.

La peur n'évite pas le danger.

자주 혼동되는 단어

avoir peur vs faire peur

To scare someone (active) vs to be scared (passive/internal).

avoir peur vs être peur

Incorrect; English uses 'to be', French uses 'to have'.

avoir peur vs craindre

More formal and often less visceral than 'avoir peur'.

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avoir peur vs

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사용법

negation

In 'ne pas avoir peur', 'pas' goes after 'avoir'.

intensity

Use 'très' for intensity, not 'beaucoup'.

자주 하는 실수

French uses 'to have' for states of being.
Missing the preposition 'de' (de + le = du).
Missing the subjunctive mood after 'que'.
Use 'très' with 'peur', not 'beaucoup'.
To say 'it scared me', you need the verb 'faire'.

팁

Verb Choice

Always use 'avoir'. If you say 'Je suis peur', people will understand you but it sounds very wrong.

Prepositions

Remember: Avoir peur DE. The 'de' is the bridge to what you are afraid of.

Natural Flow

In casual speech, 'J'ai' often sounds like 'J'ai' (no change), but the 'pas' in 'J'ai pas peur' is often emphasized.

Polite Regret

Use 'J'ai peur que...' to be polite when you have to say 'no' or give bad news.

Subjunctive

If you use 'que', check your verb endings! 'J'ai peur qu'il vienne' (not vient).

Liaisons

Listen for the 'z' sound in 'Ils ont peur' (Ils-ont). It's a key marker of plural vs singular.

Peur Bleue

Use 'une peur bleue' to sound more like a native speaker when you are really terrified.

Adverb Placement

Put 'très' or 'un peu' right after 'avoir'. 'J'ai très peur' is correct.

The 'EU' sound

The 'eu' in 'peur' is like the 'u' in 'burn' but with rounded lips.

Avoir vs Faire

If the fear is inside you, use 'avoir'. If you are causing it, use 'faire'.

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어원

From Latin 'habere' (to have) and 'pavor' (dread, fear).

문화적 맥락

Used to soften bad news.

Saying 'J'ai peur' can sometimes be seen as tempting fate in specific regional folklore.

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"De quoi avais-tu peur quand tu étais petit ?"

"Est-ce que tu as peur de voyager seul ?"

"As-tu peur des films d'horreur ?"

"De quoi les gens ont-ils le plus peur aujourd'hui ?"

"As-tu peur de parler en public ?"

일기 주제

Décrivez une fois où vous avez eu très peur.

Quelles sont vos trois plus grandes peurs ?

Comment gérez-vous la peur dans votre vie quotidienne ?

Est-ce que la peur est une émotion utile ?

Parlez d'un film qui vous a fait peur.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

In French, many internal physical and emotional states are considered things you 'have' rather than things you 'are'. This is a fundamental rule for expressions like hunger, thirst, and fear.

Yes, when 'avoir peur que' introduces a subordinate clause with a different subject, the subjunctive mood is required to express the uncertainty or emotion.

This is called the 'ne explétif'. It is used in formal French after verbs of fear. It does not make the sentence negative; it is purely stylistic.

It is grammatically possible but very unnatural. Use 'J'ai très peur' instead.

You say 'J'ai peur de toi'.

'J'ai eu peur' refers to a specific moment when you got scared. 'J'avais peur' describes a continuous state of being afraid in the past.

No, for 'I'm afraid so', you say 'J'en ai bien peur' or 'Je le crains'.

You can say 'sans peur' or 'intrépide'.

Yes, 'avoir des peurs' means to have fears/phobias in a general sense.

It's not rude, but it is very informal (slang). Use it with friends, not in a job interview.

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