脅
threaten, coerce
Readings
On'yomi
- キョウ
Kun'yomi
- おびや.かす
- おど.す
- おど.かす
Meaning
脅 centers on applying pressure to make someone act against their will: threatening harm or coercing compliance.
Most common words using 脅
20 of 25- 脅威きょうい
threat; menace
- 脅迫きょうはくN1
threat; menace; coercion; blackmail
- 脅しおどし
threat
- 脅すおどすN1
to threaten; to menace; to frighten (into doing)
- 脅かすおどかすN2
to threaten; to menace; to intimidate
- 脅かすおびやかすN1
to intimidate; to frighten; to scare
- 脅かしおどかし
threat
- 中国脅威論ちゅうごくきょういろん
China threat theory
- 受動的脅威じゅどうてききょうい
passive threat
- 威脅いきょう
threat; menace
- 泣き脅しなきおどし
persuasion by tears; using tears to get one's way; sob story
- 能動的脅威のうどうてききょうい
active threat
- 脅しつけるおどしつける
to threaten; to terrify; to frighten
- 脅しをかけるおどしをかける
to threaten; to make threats
- 脅し取るおどしとる
to extort (money); to blackmail
- 脅し文句おどしもんく
threatening words
- 脅喝きょうかつ
threat; intimidation; menace
- 脅威論きょういろん
threat theory; view that a state or entity constitutes a threat
- 脅迫文きょうはくぶん
threatening letter; intimidating letter
- 脅迫状きょうはくじょう
threatening letter; intimidating letter
Study
Etymology
脅 combines 劦 (a phonetic component suggesting coercion) with 月 (flesh/body), historically implying physical threat or pressure against the body.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 劦 looks like multiple forces pressing down on the body 月 below, like being physically threatened or coerced.
Reading mnemonic
For キョウ, imagine a threatening figure shouting 'KYOU!' (like 'kyo') while pressing down on you: the sharp sound cues キョウ and matches the coercive pressure.