How to say "cautiously" in Japanese

• 恐る恐るおそるおそるCommon
  adverbCovers 'cautiously' colored by fear, timidity, or nervousness — moving carefully because you feel afraid or uneasy. It is the common word here, so it is typically the natural choice for this fearful sense.
• 恐々こわごわ
  adverb (with と)Same territory as 恐る恐る: acting cautiously out of fear, timidity, or nervousness. It is less common, so for this fearful, hesitant sense of 'cautiously' you will usually want 恐る恐る instead.
• 注意深くちゅういぶかく
  adverbHere 'cautiously' means carefully and watchfully — acting with close attention rather than fear. For the nervous, timid sense of 'cautiously' it is seldom the word you want; it is really about careful attentiveness.
  君きみは車くるまを運転うんてんするときにどんなに注意ちゅうい深ふかくしてもし過すぎることはない。↗

  You cannot be too careful when driving.

When 'cautiously' suggests fear or nervousness, use 「恐る恐る」, the common choice, or its less common equivalent 恐々; when it means careful attentiveness or watchfulness, 「注意深く」 fits.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 恐る恐るおそるおそるfearfully
• 恐々こわごわfearfully
• 注意深くちゅういぶかくattentively