怖
怖·scary, frightening
- On-yomi
- フ
- Kun-yomi
- こわい
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 怖い | こわい | scary, frightening |
| 恐怖 | きょうふ | terror, fear |
| 怖がる | こわがる | to be afraid of |
| 怖さ | こわさ | scariness, the fear of something |
Example sentences
この映画はとても怖いです。
このえいがはとてもこわいです。
This movie is really scary.
弟は犬を怖がって、家に入りました。
おとうとはいぬをこわがって、いえにはいりました。
My little brother was scared of the dog and went into the house.
暗い道を一人で歩くのは怖かった。
くらいみちをひとりであるくのはこわかった。
Walking down the dark road alone was frightening.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 恐怖 as *きょうこわ instead of きょうふ
- Using 怖い for a person you dislike — 怖い means they frighten you, not that they are unpleasant (嫌な)
Memory aid
Picture it
A heart (忄) wrapped in a white cloth (布) — the shiver of fear.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 怖 mean?