Verb

befürchten

Translation

to fear, to be afraid of, to suspect

Ich befürchte das Schlimmste.

I fear the worst.

Wir befürchten, dass es regnen wird.

We fear that it will rain.

Sie befürchtet, den Zug zu verpassen.

She is afraid of missing the train.

((et4)) to fear sth. I fear the worst.

((dass-Satz)) to fear that... We fear that it will rain.

Synonyms: ängstigen, sorgen; Antonyms: hoffen, vertrauen

Composed of the prefix 'be-' (acting upon something) and 'fürchten' (to fear). It signifies directing fear toward a specific object or situation.

The 'be-' prefix often makes a verb transitive. So while 'fürchten' can be general, 'befürchten' usually takes a direct object.