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Kotomora

脅

threaten, coerce

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes10

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

Explore all words using 脅 →

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.