Translation guide
The English verb 'intimidate' covers a range of situations from making someone feel nervous or frightened to using threats or power to control them. Japanese has several words and phrases that capture these nuances, but the best choice depends on whether you're describing a person's presence, a deliberate act, or a general atmosphere.
Describing a person, group, or atmosphere that causes unease or fear without necessarily using direct threats.
His attitude intimidated me.
The boss speaks in a way that intimidates his subordinates.
Literally 'to make someone scared'. It's a more general term for frightening someone, and can be used for intimidation when the effect is fear. Less formal than 威圧する.
He intimidated the children with his loud voice.
Means to make someone shrink back or cower. It emphasizes the effect of making someone lose confidence or become timid. Often used in contexts of psychological intimidation.
His criticism intimidated her into silence.
Using threats, force, or pressure to make someone act against their will.
The most common word for 'threaten' or 'intimidate' in the sense of using threats to coerce. It can range from verbal threats to physical intimidation.
He intimidated me with a knife.
They intimidated him into giving them money.
A stronger, more formal word for 'intimidate' or 'threaten', often used in legal contexts. It implies a serious threat, like blackmail or extortion.
He was intimidated into changing his testimony.
A pattern meaning 'to make someone do something by frightening them'. It's a more colloquial way to express intimidation leading to an action.
He intimidated me into agreeing.
Describing a person, place, or thing that has an intimidating quality.
A na-adjective meaning 'intimidating' or 'overbearing'. It describes someone or something that exerts psychological pressure.
He has an intimidating manner.
The basic word for 'scary' or 'frightening'. It can be used to describe an intimidating person or situation in casual contexts.
Means 'unapproachable' or 'hard to get close to'. It describes someone who seems intimidating because they are aloof or stern.
He has an intimidating aura.
Expressing the feeling of being intimidated.
Means to be overwhelmed or cowed by someone's presence or atmosphere. It's a common way to say you feel intimidated.
I was intimidated by his forcefulness.
Means to be overwhelmed or overpowered. It can be used when someone's skill, confidence, or presence makes you feel intimidated.
I was intimidated by her talent.
Means to lose one's nerve or become timid. It implies being intimidated to the point of backing down.
脅す (おどす) focuses on using threats to coerce someone, often with a clear demand. 威圧する (いあつする) is about psychological pressure through authority or presence, without necessarily making explicit threats. Use 脅す for 'intimidate into doing something' and 威圧する for 'intimidate by one's demeanor'.
While 怖がらせる (こわがらせる) means 'to frighten', it doesn't always carry the nuance of intimidation. It's better for making someone scared in a general sense. For deliberate intimidation, use 脅す or 威圧する.
Don't let him intimidate you.
The interview panel was intimidating.
That teacher is intimidating.
あの人はちょっと怖い。
That person is a bit intimidating.
彼は相手の強さに怖じ気づいた。
He was intimidated by his opponent's strength.