Japanese word

恐怖

Pronunciation

Romajikyōfu

Meaning

  • nounfear

Example

私は暗い部屋で恐怖を感じました。watashi wa kura i heya de kyō fu o kan ji ma shi ta

I felt fear in a dark room.

Illustration for 恐怖 (fear)

More examples

高い所に恐怖を感じる人もいます。taka i tokoro ni kyō fu o kan ji ru hito mo i ma su

Some people are afraid of heights.

Core concept

Describes the mind's strong alarm when danger or a threatening possibility feels close.

Common phrases

  • 恐怖を感じるkyō fu o kan ji ru

    feel fear

Similar words

恐れosore: A feeling of fear about danger or a possible bad result.
不安fuan: A worried feeling caused by uncertainty or the possibility of trouble.

Definition in Japanese

強い不安や危険を前にして心がおびえること。tsuyo i fu an ya ki ken o mae ni shi te kokoro ga o bi e ru ko to

Word origin

恐 (kyō, "fear") + 怖 (fu, "fear") forms the Sino-Japanese compound 恐怖 (kyōfu, "fear").

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, Japanese speakers often choose 怖い (kowai) over the noun 恐怖 (kyōfu) when describing ordinary fear.

Other meanings

  • terrornoun
  • horrornoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 恐怖症kyōfushōphobianoun

Word lists with this word