Translation guide
Expressing that something causes extreme fear. Japanese offers several words and phrases that differ in intensity, formality, and whether the fear is instinctive, psychological, or supernatural.
Describing something that makes you feel intense fear, dread, or horror.
The most common and versatile word for 'terrifying' or 'frightening'. Can be used for both physical danger and psychological fear.
あの映画は本当に恐ろしかった。
That movie was truly terrifying.
恐ろしい事故だった。
It was a terrifying accident.
Common word for 'scary' or 'frightening'. Slightly less intense than 恐ろしい, but very natural in everyday speech.
暗い道を一人で歩くのは怖い。
Walking alone on a dark street is terrifying.
Describes something overwhelmingly intense, often with a nuance of being dreadful or appalling. Can be used for terrifying power, anger, or scenes.
すさまじい形相でにらまれた。
I was glared at with a terrifying expression.
Describing something that inspires fear through ghostly, uncanny, or otherworldly qualities.
Eerie, uncanny, creepy. Used for things that are unsettling in a supernatural or inexplicable way.
その廃墟は不気味な雰囲気だった。
The ruins had a terrifying, eerie atmosphere.
A phrase meaning 'to shudder' or 'to be horrified'. Often used for a sudden, chilling fear.
その話を聞いてぞっとした。
I was terrified when I heard that story.
Describing something so powerful or vast that it inspires fear mixed with awe.
Literary or formal word meaning 'dreadful' or 'formidable'. Often used for terrifying power, consequences, or potential.
恐るべき破壊力だ。
It has terrifying destructive power.
A noun meaning 'shudder' or 'shiver', often used in compounds like 戦慄を覚える (to feel a shudder of fear). Conveys a deep, visceral terror.
恐ろしい (osoroshii) is stronger and more formal than 怖い (kowai). 怖い is the everyday word for 'scary', while 恐ろしい implies a deeper, more dreadful fear. In casual conversation, 怖い is more common.
怖い話をして！
Tell me a scary story!
恐ろしい事件が起きた。
A terrifying incident occurred.
Avoid directly translating 'terrifying' as a single word in every context. Japanese often uses phrases like ぞっとする or 身の毛がよだつ (to make one's hair stand on end) to express the feeling of being terrified.
その光景に戦慄を覚えた。
I felt a terrifying shudder at the sight.