Japanese word

パニック

Pronunciation

Romajipanikku

Meaning

  • nounpanic

Example

試験の前に、私はパニックになりました。shi ken no mae ni watashi wa pa ni kku ni na ri ma shi ta

I was in a panic before the test.

Illustration for パニック (panic)

More examples

突然の停電で、会場にいた人たちはパニックになりました。totsu zen no tei den de kai jō ni i ta hito ta chi wa pa ni kku ni na ri ma shi ta

The people at the venue went into a panic when the power suddenly went out.

Core concept

It describes a state in which intense fear disrupts clear thinking and controlled action.

Common phrases

  • パニックになるpa ni kku ni na ru

    go into a panic

  • パニックを起こすpa ni kku o o ko su

    cause a panic

Similar words

恐慌kyōkō: A state of widespread alarm in which people lose calm judgment.
狼狽rōbai: A state of distress and confusion in response to an unexpected event.

Definition in Japanese

強い恐怖や不安によって心の落ち着きを失い、適切に考えたり行動したりできない状態。tsuyo i kyō fu ya fu an ni yo tte kokoro no o chi tsu ki o ushina i teki setsu ni kanga e ta ri kō dō shi ta ri de ki na i jō tai

Word origin

パニック (panikku) was borrowed from English panic, ultimately from Greek panikos, "of Pan," a word linked to the sudden fear believed to be caused by Pan.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese discussions of online rumors, パニック (panikku) can refer to widespread public alarm, so it is not limited to physical emergencies.

Opposites

Word lists with this word