怖畏 (bù wèi) is a literary and formal noun meaning 'dread' or 'fearful reverence'—a deep, solemn fear mixed with awe, often toward something vast, sacred, or uncontrollable. The character 怖 means 'fear' or 'horror', while 畏 carries the sense of 'reverential fear' or 'respectful apprehension'; together, they intensify each other to convey a profound, almost spiritual unease rather than simple anxiety or panic.

This word appears most frequently in classical texts, Buddhist scriptures, philosophical essays, and formal writing—not in casual speech. It describes emotional responses to natural forces (like thunderstorms or mountains), moral authority (such as a sage’s wisdom), or transcendent beings. Because it implies both fear and reverence, it differs from ordinary fear words like 害怕 or 恐惧, which lack the layer of awe or respect.