Translation guide
The English word "dread" expresses a strong, often anticipatory fear or deep reluctance. In Japanese, this concept is conveyed through various words and phrases that emphasize fear, anxiety, or aversion, depending on the context.
To express a feeling of great fear or anxiety about something that may happen in the future.
A general term for fear or terror, often used for intense dread. Can be used in both concrete and abstract contexts.
彼は死の恐怖に震えた。
He trembled with the dread of death.
未来への恐怖が彼女を襲った。
Dread of the future overwhelmed her.
Anxiety or unease, often used for a lingering sense of dread. Less intense than 恐怖, but very common.
試験の結果に不安を感じる。
I feel dread about the exam results.
彼は漠然とした不安に苛まれている。
He is tormented by a vague dread.
Shuddering or trembling with fear; a more literary or dramatic term for dread.
その光景に戦慄を覚えた。
I felt dread at the sight.
Fear or apprehension; often used in formal or written contexts. Can imply a respectful fear.
彼は失敗の恐れに駆られた。
He was driven by the dread of failure.
To express a strong unwillingness to do something because it is unpleasant or frightening.
A common phrase meaning 'reluctant' or 'not eager'. It captures the feeling of dreading an upcoming task.
明日の会議は気が進まない。
I dread tomorrow's meeting.
彼はその仕事に気が進まなかった。
He dreaded that task.
Means 'depressing' or 'gloomy', often used to describe a feeling of dread about something that must be faced.
月曜日が来ると思うと憂鬱だ。
I dread the coming of Monday.
A feeling of finding something too bothersome or tiresome to do; a sense of dread due to laziness or lack of energy.
To express the action of dreading something, often with a verb.
The standard verb for 'to fear'. Can be used for dreading events or outcomes.
彼は死を恐れている。
He dreads death.
人々は戦争を恐れた。
People dreaded war.
To be scared or frightened; more colloquial than 恐れる. Often used for concrete fears.
A common pattern to say someone is dreading something specific.
彼女は注射を怖がっている。
She dreads getting an injection.
To describe something that causes dread.
Means 'terrible', 'frightening', or 'dreadful'. Commonly used for things that inspire dread.
それは恐ろしい考えだ。
That is a dreadful thought.
恐ろしい事故だった。
It was a dreadful accident.
The most common word for 'scary' or 'frightening'. Less intense than 恐ろしい, but very versatile.
恐怖 (kyōfu) is a stronger, more immediate fear or terror, while 不安 (fuan) is a lingering anxiety or unease. Use 恐怖 for intense dread of something specific, and 不安 for a general sense of dread about the future.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches all uses of 'dread'. Avoid directly translating 'dread' as a noun in all cases; instead, use the appropriate verb or adjective phrase depending on context.
彼女は常に地震の恐怖に怯えて暮らしている。
She lives in constant dread of earthquakes.
Uses 恐怖 (fear) to express a persistent state of dread.
掃除が億劫でたまらない。
I absolutely dread cleaning.
子供は暗闇を怖がる。
Children dread the dark.
That movie is truly dreadful (scary).