Translation guide
The English word "horror" can refer to a feeling of intense fear, shock, or disgust, or to a genre of fiction. This guide covers how to express these concepts naturally in Japanese.
Expressing a strong emotional reaction to something frightening, shocking, or repulsive.
The most direct and common translation for 'horror' as a feeling of extreme fear or dread. Used in both everyday and literary contexts.
He was trembling with horror.
The movie filled the audience with horror.
A more intense, literary word for 'shudder' or 'horror', often implying a physical reaction. Used in dramatic or written contexts.
A common phrase meaning 'to shudder' or 'to be horrified', often used for something creepy or disgusting. More casual than 恐怖.
I was horrified to hear that story.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to make one's hair stand on end' from horror. Very vivid and somewhat literary.
Referring to the genre of horror movies, books, or games.
The loanword 'horror' used specifically for the genre. Very common and natural in Japanese.
I like horror movies.
This novel is horror.
Literally 'horror film', a more descriptive term. Less common than ホラー映画 but still used.
He is a director of horror films.
Refers to traditional Japanese ghost stories or horror tales, often with a supernatural element. Not a direct translation of 'horror' but a related genre term.
Describing an event, situation, or thing that causes horror.
恐怖 (kyōfu) is the feeling of horror or fear, while ホラー (horā) is the genre. Use 恐怖 for emotional reactions and ホラー for movies, books, etc.
While 恐怖映画 is understandable, ホラー映画 is much more common and natural for 'horror movie'. Using 恐怖 in this context can sound stiff or overly formal.
To my horror, the door slowly opened.
She screamed in horror.
その光景に戦慄を覚えた。
I felt horror at the sight.
あの映画はぞっとするほど怖かった。
That movie was horrifyingly scary.
That ghost story was a tale of horror.
夏になると怪談を聞きたくなる。
In summer, I feel like listening to horror stories.