adjective / noun HSK 5
terror · horror · terrifying · frightening
Meaning
恐怖 describes extreme fear or things that cause such fear. It refers to terror, horror, or dread, and can describe frightening situations, horrifying events, or the emotion of being terrified. The word conveys a stronger sense of fear than 害怕 (afraid) or 可怕 (scary).
Usage
恐怖 is commonly used to describe horror movies (恐怖片), terrorist activities (恐怖主义), or genuinely terrifying situations. It carries a serious tone and is stronger than casual words for 'scary.' Often used as an adjective before nouns or as a standalone noun meaning 'terror/horror.'
Examples
- 01这部恐怖片太吓人了，我晚上都不敢睡觉。, .This horror movie is so scary that I don't even dare to sleep at night.
- 02恐怖主义是全世界面临的严重问题。.Terrorism is a serious problem facing the entire world.
Characters
Common collocations
- 恐怖片horror movie
- 恐怖主义terrorism
- 恐怖分子terrorist
- 恐怖袭击terrorist attack
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to fear. 恐 contains the heart radical 心, indicating emotion, while 怖 also contains 心 (in its variant form 忄), emphasizing the psychological aspect of terror.