Japanese word

おっかない

Pronunciation

Romajiokkanai

Meaning

  • i-adjectivescary

Example

あの犬はおっかないです。a no inu wa o kka na i de su

That dog is scary.

Illustration for おっかない (scary)

More examples

暗い道を一人で歩くのはおっかないです。kura i michi o hito ri de aru ku no wa o kka na i de su

Walking alone along a dark road is scary.

Core concept

Describes something that makes a person feel fear or strong unease when faced directly.

Common phrases

  • おっかない夢o kka na i yume

    scary dream

  • おっかない映画o kka na i ei ga

    scary movie

  • おっかない声o kka na i koe

    scary voice

Similar words

怖いkowai: Describes something that makes a person feel afraid or uneasy.
恐ろしいosoroshii: Describes something that inspires deep fear because of its danger or power.
薄気味悪いusukimiwarui: Describes something that creates an eerie feeling through its strange or unsettling nature.

Definition in Japanese

人に恐怖や強い不安を感じさせるさま。hito ni kyō fu ya tsuyo i fu an o kan ji sa se ru sa ma

Word origin

The origin of おっかない (okkanai, "scary") is uncertain, but dictionaries commonly connect it with おおけない (ōkenai, "fearful or formidable").

Usage tips

  • Because おっかない (okkanai) is strongly conversational, it often appears in spoken dialogue to show an immediate reaction to something frightening.

Opposites

Related words

  • おっかなさokkanasascarinessnoun
  • おっかながるokkanagaruact scaredverb

Word lists with this word