Chinese Conversation · Level 61
90 words
Chinese word
恐吓
Pronunciation
Pinyinkǒng hè
Meaning
- verbthreaten
Example
他在电话里恐吓我。tā zài diàn huà lǐ kǒng hè wǒ
He threatened me over the phone.
More examples
他在会议上当众恐吓对方。tā zài huì yì shàng dàng zhòng kǒng hè duì fāng
He threatened the other person in public at the meeting.
Core concept
Turns another person's fear into pressure that limits their choices and makes compliance seem necessary.
Common phrases
以暴力恐吓yǐ bào lì kǒng hè
threaten with violence
当众恐吓dāng zhòng kǒng hè
threaten in public
对未成年人恐吓duì wèi chéng nián rén kǒng hè
threaten minors
Similar words
威胁wēi xié: Pointing to possible danger or harm to persuade someone to act as desired.
胁迫xié pò: Forcing compliance by using authority, strong pressure, or the threat of serious loss.
恫吓dòng hè: Using an intimidating tone or manner to fill someone with fear and make them obey.
逼迫bī pò: Making circumstances or pressure narrow someone's choices and push that person toward an action.
Definition in Chinese
用言语或行为威胁他人，使对方感到害怕并屈从于某种要求。yòng yán yǔ huò xíng wéi wēi xié tā rén shǐ duì fāng gǎn dào hài pà bìng qū cóng yú móu zhǒng yāo qiú
Word origin
The compound 恐 (kǒng, "fear") + 吓 (hè, "frighten") links the feeling of fear with the act of causing it, producing the sense of coercive threat.
Usage tips
- In everyday Chinese, this verb covers pressure delivered by words or actions, so it fits threats made in person, by message, or over a call.