Translation guide
Expressing extreme fear in Japanese. The most common and natural way is using the adjective 怖い (kowai) with intensifiers, or the verb 怖がる (kowagaru) for describing someone else's fear. There are also stronger, more literary terms for 'terrified' or 'petrified'.
Expressing that you are extremely scared or terrified.
The most common and natural way to say 'I'm terrified'. 怖い (kowai) means 'scary' or 'frightened', and すごく (sugoku) means 'very'. This is a straightforward, everyday expression.
あの映画、すごく怖かった。
That movie was terrifying.
I'm terrified of the dark.
Literally 'so scared there's nothing to be done'. A very common and natural way to say you're extremely scared, emphasizing the intensity of the fear.
一人で夜道を歩くのが怖くて仕方がない。
I'm terrified of walking alone at night.
Similar to 怖くて仕方がない, meaning 'so scared I can't stand it'. Very natural and slightly more emotional.
注射が怖くてたまらない。
I'm terrified of injections.
A more formal or literary verb meaning 'to be terrified' or 'to feel terror'. Not commonly used in casual speech; it sounds dramatic or written.
彼はその知らせに恐怖した。
He was terrified by the news.
Expressing that a particular thing or situation terrifies you.
The basic pattern for 'I'm scared/terrified of X'. Simply attach が to the thing you fear.
Used to describe someone else being scared of something. 怖がる is the verb form showing visible fear.
子供は暗闇を怖がる。
Children are terrified of the dark.
Expressing being so terrified that you cannot move or react.
Literally 'so scared I can't move'. A natural way to say you're petrified with fear.
怖くて動けなかった。
I was so terrified I couldn't move.
Verb meaning 'to freeze up' or 'to cower' from fear. Often used in the form 怖くてすくむ.
恐怖ですくんだ。
I froze in terror.
Means 'to shrink back' or 'to be petrified'. More formal and often used in written language.
彼は脅迫に萎縮した。
He was petrified by the threat.
Describing something that causes terror.
The most common word for 'scary' or 'terrifying'. Can be used for both mild and extreme fear.
その話は本当に怖い。
That story is truly terrifying.
A stronger, more intense word than 怖い, closer to 'dreadful' or 'terrifying'. Often used for serious or horrific things.
A noun-modifying form meaning 'of terror', used in phrases like 'terror movie' or 'reign of terror'. Not a standalone adjective.
恐怖の一夜
a night of terror
While both mean 'scary', 恐ろしい (osoroshii) is much stronger and often implies something dreadful or horrific. Using it for minor fears can sound overly dramatic. Stick to 怖い (kowai) for everyday situations.
このジェットコースターは怖い！
This roller coaster is scary!
戦争は恐ろしい。
War is terrifying.
Remember that 怖い describes your own feeling, while 怖がる describes someone else's visible fear. You cannot say 彼は怖い to mean 'He is scared' (it would mean 'He is scary'). Use 彼は怖がっている instead.
彼は犬を怖がっている。
He is scared of dogs.
恐ろしい事件だった。
It was a terrifying incident.