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.
He trembled with the dread of death.
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.
I feel dread about the exam results.
He is tormented by a vague dread.
Shuddering or trembling with fear; a more literary or dramatic term for dread.
I felt dread at the sight.
Fear or apprehension; often used in formal or written contexts. Can imply a respectful fear.
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.
I dread tomorrow's meeting.
He dreaded that task.
Means 'depressing' or 'gloomy', often used to describe a feeling of dread about something that must be faced.
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.
He dreads death.
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.
To describe something that causes dread.
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.
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.
People dreaded war.
子供は暗闇を怖がる。
Children dread the dark.
She dreads getting an injection.
It was a dreadful accident.
That movie is truly dreadful (scary).