Japanese word

威嚇

Pronunciation

Romajiikaku

Meaning

  • nounthreat

Example

相手から威嚇を受けました。ai te ka ra i kaku o u ke ma shi ta

I was threatened by the other person.

Illustration for 威嚇 (threat)

More examples

警備員は、相手を威嚇するような言葉を使いませんでした。kei bi in wa ai te o i kaku su ru yō na koto ba o tsuka i ma se n de shi ta

The security guard did not use words that would intimidate the other person.

Core concept

Signals the possibility of harm or force so that another person backs down.

Common phrases

  • 威嚇を受けるi kaku o u ke ru

    face a threat

  • 威嚇を繰り返すi kaku o ku ri kae su

    repeat threats

  • 威嚇の言葉i kaku no koto ba

    threatening words

Similar words

脅しodoshi: A threat of harm or trouble used to make someone comply.
威圧iatsu: Pressure or forceful behavior that makes others feel unable to resist.
脅迫kyōhaku: A serious threat used to force someone to act against their will.

Definition in Japanese

相手に恐怖を与えて、従わせようとする言動や態度。ai te ni kyō fu o ata e te shitaga wa se yō to su ru gen dō ya tai do

Word origin

威嚇 (ikaku, "intimidation") is a Sino-Japanese compound of 威 (i, "awe") and 嚇 (kaku, "frighten").

Usage tips

  • 威嚇 (ikaku) can describe an animal's warning posture, and English often calls this a threat display even when no attack follows.

Other meanings

  • intimidationnoun
  • menacenoun

Related words

  • 威嚇するikakusuruintimidateverb
  • 威嚇的ikakutekiintimidatingna-adjective

Word lists with this word