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.
This is the most direct equivalent for 'intimidate' in the sense of overawing or cowing someone through authority, presence, or an oppressive manner. It implies a psychological pressure.
彼の態度は私を威圧した。
His attitude intimidated me.
上司は部下を威圧するような話し方をする。
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.
彼は大きな声で子供たちを怖がらせた。
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.
彼の批判は彼女を萎縮させた。
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.
彼はナイフで私を脅した。
He intimidated me with a knife.
彼らは彼を脅して金を奪った。
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.
彼は脅迫されて証言を変えた。
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.
彼は私を怖がらせて承諾させた。
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.
彼は威圧的な態度をとる。
He has an intimidating manner.
あの先生は威圧的だ。
That teacher is intimidating.
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.
彼は近寄りがたい雰囲気がある。
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.
彼の迫力に気圧された。
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.
彼女の才能に圧倒された。
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.
彼に気圧されないで。
Don't let him intimidate you.
面接官は威圧的だった。
The interview panel was intimidating.
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.