懼

A spectrum from sudden alarm to sustained dread.

Can function as a verb (to fear), adjective/state (to be in a state of dread), or noun (the feeling of fear).

Compared to other terms for fear:

• 懼 vs. 畏 (wèi): //Jù// is typically visceral and psychological; //wèi// often involves a component of awe, reverence, or calculated avoidance based on the perceived power or status of the object feared.
• 懼 vs. 恐 (kǒng): //Kǒng// tends toward apprehension or fear of a possible future event; //jù// is more immediate, reacting to an imminent threat or a present state of terror.

Fanqie reading: 其遇; Tang-period reading: ghiò. Variant form: U+60E7.

Contains the component 遽 (implying suddenness or haste), which suggests a visceral, reflexive reaction—a "startle" or sharp jolt of panic—rather than purely cognitive anxiety.