おびえ

お

び

え

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

usually written using kana alone

A state of being startled, scared, or panicked. Often used in expressions like おびえている (to be frightened) or おびえを感じる (to feel fear).

彼かの女じょの目めにはおびえの色いろが浮うかんでいた。
A look of fear appeared in her eyes.
地じ震しんのあと、人ひと々びとはおびえの中なかで一いち夜やを過すごした。
After the earthquake, people spent the night in a state of panic.

See all 6 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉に怯おびえを感かんじるto feel fear/fright at something
彼かれは暗くら闇やみに怯おびえを感かんじた。
He felt a sense of fear in the darkness.
怯おびえの色いろが浮うかぶa look of fear appears (on someone's face)
少しょう女じょの顔かおに怯おびえの色いろが浮うかんだ。
A look of fear appeared on the girl's face.
怯おびえを隠かくすto hide one's fear
彼かの女じょは必ひっ死しに怯おびえを隠かくしていた。
She was desperately hiding her fear.

Kanji

怯cowardice, wince, flinch
脅threaten, coerce

Related words

恐きょう怖ふN3
恐怖 is a stronger, more general word for intense fear or terror, while 怯え focuses on the visible, trembling reaction of being startled or scared.
恐おそれN1
恐れ is a broader, somewhat literary word for fear or dread, whereas 怯え specifically evokes a cowering, trembling fright response.
不ふ安あんN3
不安 describes vague anxiety or unease about something uncertain, while 怯え describes an immediate, visible fright at something specific.

Opposites

安あん心しんN4
安心 means a feeling of relief or peace of mind, the opposite emotional state from 怯え, which is trembling fear.

Don't confuse with

驚おどろきN1
驚き is neutral surprise at something unexpected, while 怯え specifically carries the sense of fear or dread, not mere astonishment.

Word family

怯おびえるN1
be frightened; be scared; be terrified

Written forms

おびえUsage28%
Kana spelling is standard; usually written in kana.
怯おびえUsage72%
Kanji form using 怯 (fear, cowardice). Less common than kana, but seen in literary or emphatic contexts.
脅おびえ
Variant kanji using 脅 (threaten). Rare; may appear in older texts or as a stylistic choice.

Etymology

Derived from the verb 怯える (おびえる, 'to be frightened'), which is of native Japanese origin. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji 怯 carries the meaning of fear or cowardice.