Translation guide
The English verb "threaten" covers a range of meanings from direct verbal intimidation to implying danger or risk. Japanese uses different verbs and expressions depending on whether the threat is verbal, physical, or abstract (like a risk or warning sign).
The storm threatens the crops.
Use 脅かす (おびやかす) for abstract or indirect threats to something's existence or well-being.
To say you will harm or punish someone to make them do something or feel afraid.
The most common and general verb for threatening someone verbally or with gestures. Can be used in both serious and casual contexts.
He threatened me with a knife.
Please don't threaten me.
A more formal and legal term for threatening or intimidation, often used in contexts like blackmail or criminal threats.
He was arrested for making threats (intimidation).
Often used for threatening someone's position, safety, or well-being in a more abstract or indirect way, but can also mean to physically threaten.
Literally 'to say threatening words'. Used when describing the act of making verbal threats.
To be likely to cause harm, damage, or negative consequences to something.
Used when something (a situation, event, etc.) endangers or jeopardizes something else, like safety, peace, or a way of life.
Climate change is threatening our way of life.
Literally 'to expose to danger'. Used when someone or something puts another thing at risk.
Means 'to become a threat to ~'. Often used in news or formal writing.
To indicate that something unpleasant or dangerous is likely to happen.
A common pattern meaning 'there is a risk/danger that ~'. Used for objective warnings, like weather forecasts or risk assessments.
Heavy rain threatens to cause flooding.
A casual way to say 'it looks like it will ~', often used for immediate threats like 'it's threatening to rain'.
It's threatening to rain.
脅す is for direct, often personal threats (verbal or physical intimidation). 脅かす is for indirect, often abstract threats to safety, peace, status, etc. While there is some overlap, 脅かす is rarely used for face-to-face verbal threats.
He threatened me (directly).
War threatens peace.
Saying 雨が私を脅す (The rain threatens me) sounds unnatural. Use patterns like ～しそうだ or ～の恐れがある for weather and abstract risks.
He threatened to kill me.
Pollution threatens marine life.
It's threatening to snow.
The scandal threatened his position.
He always makes threats, but he's never actually done anything.
The disease threatened many lives.
The decision threatened the company's future.
This new technology may threaten existing industries.
She looks like she's threatening to burst into tears.