fürchten

Fürchten is a German verb meaning "to fear." It describes the emotion of apprehension or anxiety caused by the belief that something is dangerous or threatening. This can range from a mild sense of unease to intense terror. The verb can be used transitively, meaning it takes a direct object, such as "Ich fürchte die Dunkelheit" (I fear the darkness). It can also be used intransitively, often with prepositions, like "Er fürchtet sich vor Spinnen" (He is afraid of spiders). The reflexive form "sich fürchten" is very common and emphasizes that the fear is experienced internally by the subject. Related nouns include "Furcht" (fear) and "Angst" (anxiety/fear). The adjective form is "fürchterlich," meaning "terrible" or "frightful." In common usage, "fürchten" conveys a strong emotional response to perceived danger or an undesirable outcome. It is a fundamental human emotion that plays a significant role in survival and decision-making.