shout of reproof in Zen
A sharp exclamation used by a Zen master to scold or awaken a practitioner. Outside Zen, it can be used humorously or dramatically to imitate that style.
禅師は弟子に「喝！」と一喝した。
The Zen master shouted 'Katsu!' at his disciple.
shouting at someone to scold or threaten
Used for a loud, sharp rebuke or threat, often in a single shout. Common in phrases like 喝を入れる (give a sharp scolding to motivate someone).
怠けている後輩に喝を入れた。
I gave a sharp scolding to my lazy junior colleague.
監督が
The coach shouted a rebuke at the players.
cheers; applause; ovation
intimidation; threat; bluster
sharp rebuke; bark; roar · Zen shout; enlightenment rebuke
argue down; rebuke forcefully; shout down · proclaim the truth; expound decisively
Standard kanji spelling for this Zen-derived interjection and noun.
Katakana spelling is sometimes used for emphasis or in informal writing.
From Middle Chinese 喝 (xɑt̚, 'to shout, scold'). Used in Zen Buddhism as a transliteration of Sanskrit hā (a shout to awaken practitioners).