Meaning and Usage
"恐怖" (きょうふ) means "fear" or "terror" and is used to describe a strong feeling of being scared or frightened. It often refers to an intense emotional state caused by danger or something frightening.
Common Contexts
This word is frequently used in contexts involving horror movies, scary situations, or psychological fear. It can describe both physical fear and emotional terror.
Collocations and Patterns
- 恐怖を感じる: to feel fear
- 恐怖映画: horror movie
- 恐怖に震える: to tremble with fear
These collocations are common in everyday conversation and media.
Register and Nuance
"恐怖" is a somewhat formal or literary word compared to more casual words like "怖い" (こわい). It is often used in written language, news reports, or formal speech to emphasize the intensity of fear.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "恐怖" with "怖い". Remember, "怖い" is an adjective meaning "scary" or "frightening," while "恐怖" is a noun meaning "fear" or "terror." Use "恐怖" when talking about the feeling or concept of fear itself.