Japanese symbol for “awe”

恐れ

おそれ

Romaji: osore

fear; horror; anxiety; concern

In Japanese, awe is 恐れ, read おそれ (osore).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

n fear; horror; anxiety; concern; uneasiness; reverence
n risk; danger; likelihood; fear
n awe; reverence

Written forms: 恐れ、怖れ、虞、畏れ. Readings: おそれ.

Kanji and stroke order

恐

fear, dread, awe

on: キョウ
kun: おそ.れる、おそ.る、おそ.ろしい、こわ.い

10 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “awe”

Word	Reading	Meaning
畏怖	いふ ifu	awe; fear; dread
畏敬	いけい ikei	reverence; awe; respect
畏服	いふく ifuku	awe
敬畏	けいい keii	awe; reverence; fear (e.g. of authority)
畏懼	いく iku	reverence; awe; fear

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
恐怖	きょうふ kyoufu	fear; dread; dismay
恐ろしい	おそろしい osoroshii	terrible; dreadful; terrifying
恐らく	おそらく osoraku	probably; (most) likely; in all likelihood
恐れる	おそれる osoreru	to fear; to be afraid of
恐竜	きょうりゅう kyouryuu	dinosaur