German word

Schrecken

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃʁɛkn̩/

Meaning

  • masculine nounfright

Example

Als das Auto plötzlich hupt, bekam ich einen Schrecken.

When the car suddenly honked, I got a fright.

Illustration for Schrecken (fright)

More examples

Der plötzliche Blitz versetzte mich in Schrecken.

The sudden flash of lightning gave me a fright.

Core concept

A sharp burst of fear caused by a sudden threat, noise, or alarming sight.

Common phrases

  • einen Schrecken versetzen

    give someone a fright

  • jemandem einen Schrecken einjagen

    give someone a scare

  • einen Schrecken bekommen

    get a fright

Similar words

Panik: A sudden panic that overwhelms clear thinking and self-control.
Angst: Persistent fear arising from ongoing worry or inner unease.
Furcht: A natural sense of fear and caution in the face of danger.
Entsetzen: Profound horror combined with extreme shock and revulsion.

Definition in German

Kurz auftretendes, intensives Gefühl von Furcht oder Entsetzen.

Word origin

Schrecken is a noun formed within the Germanic family connected with schrecken, the verb for frightening someone or becoming frightened.

Usage tips

  • The expression jemandem einen Schrecken einjagen uses dative jemandem for the person affected and accusative einen Schrecken for the fright.

Other meanings

  • shocknoun
  • terrornoun

Opposites

Related words

  • erschreckenfrightenverb
  • erschrockenstartledadjective
  • Schrecksekundesplit second of frightnoun

Word lists with this word