หวั่น
feel apprehensive
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 feel apprehensive、fear
Describes feeling fearful or unsettled because of a possible danger or undesirable outcome. It often suggests apprehension rather than immediate, concrete fear.
feel apprehensive、fear
Means to feel apprehensive or lose confidence in the face of a possible bad outcome, difficulty, or threat.
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หวั่นว่าจะเกิดปัญหา wàn wâa cà kə̀ət panhǎa fear that a problem may arise หวั่นว่าจะเกิดปัญหา details
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เขาไม่หวั่นต่ออุปสรรค khǎw mây wàn tɔ̀ɔ ùppasàk He is not intimidated by obstacles. เขาไม่หวั่นต่ออุปสรรค details
Learning notes
Explanation
หวั่น is a verb for feeling emotionally unsettled by danger or a possible bad outcome. Compared with the everyday word กลัว, it can sound somewhat more formal or expressive and is common in news reports, speeches, and song lyrics. หวั่นว่า followed by a clause means “to fear or be concerned that...” The negative form ไม่หวั่น is often used to emphasize courage or determination, meaning “not to be intimidated” or “not to waver.”
Usage
Used when expressing concern about a possible consequence, such as the effects of a policy or a future problem, and when describing whether someone is intimidated by threats, criticism, or hardship. The patterns หวั่นว่า “fear that...” and ไม่หวั่น “remain unafraid or undaunted” are especially useful.
Caution
Do not normally use หวั่น for a simple fear of a concrete object. For example, “I’m afraid of dogs” is naturally expressed with กลัวหมา, not หวั่นหมา.
Differences from similar words
1 feel apprehensive synonyms
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กลัว is the ordinary, broadly used word for being afraid, including fear of concrete things such as animals or darkness. หวั่น focuses more on apprehension about what may happen or on wavering in the face of difficulty.
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กังวล broadly means to worry or remain concerned about a problem. หวั่น carries a stronger sense of fear or of being emotionally shaken by a possible threat or difficulty.