Japanese word

怯える

Pronunciation

Romajiobieru

Meaning

  • verbbe scared

Example

犬は雷の音に怯えます。inu wa kaminari no oto ni obi e ma su

The dog is scared by the sound of thunder.

Illustration for 怯える (be scared)

More examples

彼は人前で話すことに怯えています。kare wa hito mae de hana su ko to ni obi e te i ma su

He is scared of speaking in front of people.

Core concept

Centers on a fearful reaction that makes a person or animal pull back from what seems threatening.

Common phrases

  • 犬に怯えるinu ni obi e ru

    be scared of dogs

  • 暗闇に怯えるkura yami ni obi e ru

    be afraid of the dark

  • 物音に怯えるmono oto ni obi e ru

    be frightened by a noise

Similar words

怖がるkowagaru: To show fear or act afraid when facing something frightening.
恐れるosoreru: To feel fear of a person, event, or possible outcome.
おののくononoku: To tremble or recoil because of intense fear.

Definition in Japanese

恐ろしいものに出会ったり危険を感じたりして、強い恐怖を感じること。oso ro shi i mo no ni de a tta ri ki ken o kan ji ta ri shi te tsuyo i kyō fu o kan ji ru ko to

Word origin

怯える (obieru) is the modern form of the older native verb 怯ゆ (obiyu), meaning "to become frightened."

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 怯える (obieru) can describe fear of an anticipated event, not only fear caused by something already happening.

Other meanings

  • become frightenedverb

Opposites

  • 安心するanshinsurufeel safeverb

Related words

  • 怯えobiefrightnoun

Word lists with this word