Japanese Conversation · Level 82
60 words
Japanese word
脅す
Pronunciation
Romajiodosu
Meaning
- verbthreaten
Example
彼は私を脅します。kare wa watashi o odo shi ma su
He threatens me.
More examples
彼は秘密をばらすと言って、私を脅しました。kare wa hi mitsu o ba ra su to i tte watashi o odo shi ma shi ta
He threatened me by saying he would reveal my secret.
Core concept
Describes making someone fear harm in order to pressure or control their actions.
Common phrases
相手を脅すai te o odo su
threaten someone
電話で脅すden wa de odo su
threaten someone over the phone
Similar words
脅かすodokasu: To cause fear in someone by warning of possible harm.
威嚇するikakusuru: To frighten or deter someone through a display of power or danger.
恫喝するdōkatsusuru: To force someone to submit by making severe threats.
脅迫するkyōhakusuru: To use threats of harm to make someone do something against their will.
Definition in Japanese
相手に危害を加える意思を示して恐れさせる。ai te ni ki gai o kuwa e ru i shi o shime shi te oso re sa se ru
Word origin
脅す (odosu, "to threaten") is a native Japanese formation from the fear-related base おど (odo) and す (su, "to cause or make"), although the early origin of おど is not firmly established.
Usage tips
- English threaten also describes an approaching danger, whereas 脅す (odosu) normally presents a person as deliberately causing fear.
Other meanings
- intimidateverb
- frightenverb
Related words
- 脅しodoshithreatnoun