German word

Schreck

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃʁɛk/

Meaning

  • masculine nounscare

Example

Sie bekam einen Schreck, als die Tür aufging.

She got a scare when the door opened.

Illustration for Schreck (scare)

More examples

Sie hielt vor Schreck den Atem an.

She held her breath in shock.

Core concept

A sudden jolt of alarm that makes the body and attention react before the cause is fully understood.

Common phrases

  • vor Schreck den Atem anhalten

    hold one's breath in shock

  • vor Schreck zurückweichen

    step back in fright

Similar words

Überraschung: A feeling of surprise caused by an unexpected event.
Angst: Ongoing fear or worry about danger or something threatening.
Panik: An extreme state of fear that causes confusion and loss of composure.
Erschrecken: A startled bodily reaction to a sudden sound or movement.

Definition in German

Ein kurzer, heftiger Moment der Überraschung oder des Schocks, meist ausgelöst durch ein unerwartetes Ereignis.

Word origin

Schreck is an inherited Germanic noun related to the verb erschrecken and attested in older German forms such as Middle High German schrecke.

Usage tips

  • Schreck is masculine, and the common phrase einen Schreck bekommen uses the accusative form einen Schreck.

Other meanings

  • shocknoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Erschreckenbeing startlednoun
  • erschrockenstartledadjective

Word lists with this word