Translation and Meaning of: 恐ろしい - osoroshii

The Japanese word 恐ろしい (おそろしい) carries an intense emotional weight, often translated as "frightening," "horrible," or "fearsome." If you are looking to understand its deep meaning, origin, or how to use it in real contexts, this article will explore all of that clearly. Additionally, we will delve into how the Japanese perceive this expression in daily life and in what situations it appears most frequently.

Whether to enrich your vocabulary or to understand cultural nuances, discovering the details of 恐ろしい can be useful for both Japanese learners and those curious about the language. Here at Suki Nihongo, our detailed dictionary helps you unravel complex terms like this, providing practical and reliable explanations.

Meaning and usage of 恐ろしい

恐ろしい is a word that expresses something that causes intense fear, whether physical or emotional. Unlike terms like 怖い (こわい), which can be used for everyday fears, 恐ろしい usually describes situations or things that provoke a deeper terror. For example, natural disasters, violent crimes, or supernatural stories are often described with this word.

In Japan, 恐ろしい can also be used in a hyperbolic way to emphasize something impressive or shocking, even if it is not literally scary. An example would be saying "恐ろしいほど速い" (osoroshii hodo hayai) to describe someone incredibly fast. This metaphorical usage shows how the Japanese language leverages emotional terms to convey intensity.

Origin and writing of kanji

The word 恐ろしい is composed of the kanji 恐 (kyou, osore), which means "fear" or "dread," followed by the suffix ろしい, which intensifies the sensation. The radical 工 present in 恐 suggests the idea of something "artificial" or "constructed," but its association with fear comes from the combination with the radical 心 (kokoro), which represents the heart or the mind.

It is worth noting that 恐ろしい is not an archaic term, but it is also not one of the most common in everyday use. It frequently appears in news about tragic events, horror works, or dramatic descriptions. In informal conversations, Japanese people tend to choose lighter words, unless they want to create a greater impact.

How to memorize and use 恐ろしい

A tip to remember 恐ろしい is to associate it with extreme situations. Think of horror movies or stories that really scared you – that's the vibe the word conveys. Another strategy is to create flashcards with sentences like "その話は恐ろしい" (sono hanashi wa osoroshii – "this story is terrifying") to practice its correct usage.

If you want to sound natural when using 恐ろしい, remember to reserve it for contexts that justify its intensity. Saying that a horror movie is 恐ろしい makes sense, but describing a silly scare with this word can sound exaggerated. Observing how native speakers use it in dramas or reports is a great way to learn its nuances.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

怖い (Kowai) - Scary, fearful.
恐ろしい (Osoroshii) - Terrible, extremely scary.
恐怖な (Kyōfu na) - Related to fear; characterized by fear.
恐怖を与える (Kyōfu o ataeru) - Cause fear; provoke dread.
恐怖を感じる (Kyōfu o kanjiru) - Feel fear; have a sense of dread.
恐怖の (Kyōfu no) - Related to fear; that belongs to fear.
恐怖心を抱く (Kyōfushin o daku) - To have a feeling of fear; to carry a state of dread.
恐怖心を与える (Kyōfushin o ataeru) - To provoke a feeling of fear; to instill dread in someone.
恐怖感を与える (Kyōfukan o ataeru) - Transmit a feeling of fear; make someone feel fear.
恐怖感を感じる (Kyōfukan o kanjiru) - Feeling the sensation of fear; having a perception of dread.
恐怖感を抱く (Kyōfukan o daku) - Maintain a sense of fear; carry the feeling of dread.
恐怖感を持つ (Kyōfukan o motsu) - To have a feeling of fear; to have a permanent state of apprehension.
恐怖感を覚える (Kyōfukan o oboeru) - Experience a feeling of fear; remember a feeling of dread.
恐怖感を抱かせる (Kyōfukan o hakaseru) - Cause someone to feel fear; provoke a reaction of dread in another person.
恐怖感を与える (Kyōfukan o ataeru) - Provide a sense of fear; instill dread.
恐怖感を味わう (Kyōfukan o ajiwau) - To experience or savor a feeling of fear; to intensely feel dread.
恐怖感を感じさせる (Kyōfukan o kanjisaseru) - Make someone feel the sensation of fear; induce someone to dread.
恐怖感をもたらす (Kyōfukan o motarasu) - To provide or bring about a feeling of fear; to generate dread.
恐怖感を覚えさせる (Kyōfukan o oboesaseru) - Instigate someone to remember a feeling of fear; induce a memory of dread.