恐怖
kyōfu[kʲo̞ːɸɯ̟]
The Japanese word for horror is 恐怖 (kyōfu). Wiktionary also lists 恐れ (osore).
Meaning: intense distressing fear or repugnance (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 恐怖 | kyōfu | [kʲo̞ːɸɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 恐れ | osore | [o̞so̞ɾe̞] (narrow) |
The term refers to an intense distressing fear or repugnance, representing a general sense of fear and dread and a visceral or psychological state of terror or horror.
Which one should you use?
恐怖 (kyōfu) refers to a more intense, often visceral or psychological state of terror or horror. If you are referring specifically to the horror genre in entertainment, such as horror movies or books, use the loanword ホラー (horā).
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 恐怖 as an adjective meaning 'of horror' (for example, 'a night of horror'), you add the particle の to the word, creating 恐怖の.
How do you pronounce it?
kyōfu
Did you know?
- The word 恐れ (osore) can mean 'fear', but it is also frequently used in formal or literary contexts to mean 'respect' or 'awe', showing how intense fear and deep reverence are linked.
- If you want to talk about 'horror stories' specifically, you would often use the word 怪談 (kaidan), which refers to ghost stories or supernatural tales rather than just any scary story.
- The word 恐怖 (kyōfu) is often used in the term 恐怖政治 (kyōfu seiji), which translates literally to 'horror politics' but is the standard Japanese term for a 'reign of terror'.
Examples in context
- 皆、恐怖で固まった。Everyone froze in horror.This sentence shows how to describe people being frozen by horror using 恐怖.Tatoeba #11198102 by small_snow, translation #8180096 by AlanF_US
- マリラは恐怖のあまり言葉を失った。Marilla was speechless with horror.This sentence illustrates being speechless due to horror using 恐怖.Tatoeba #8584585 by small_snow, translation #7917506 by Hybrid
- 若い男女が人里離れた洋館で恐怖の一夜を過ごすという、ホラーの定番スタイルだ。It's textbook horror: young men and women spending a night of terror in a secluded mansion.This sentence demonstrates how to use the phrase 'of horror' by adding の to 恐怖.Tatoeba #74333 by fcbond, translation #11664541 by pip
- 私はホラー映画が大好きです。I love horror movies.
- あの映画、超怖かった！That movie was super scary!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are talking about a scary movie they just watched.
- 結衣 Yuiあの映画は本当に怖かったね。Ano eiga wa hontō ni kowakatta ne.That movie was really scary, wasn't it?
- 健太 Kentaうん。恐怖で夜も眠れないよ。Un. Kyōfu de yoru mo nemurenai yo.Yeah. I can't even sleep at night from the horror.
- 結衣 Yui大げさだよ、健太。Ōgesa da yo, Kenta.You're exaggerating, Kenta.
- 健太 Kenta本当だって！まだドキドキしてるんだ。Hontō datte! Mada dokidoki shiteru nda.I'm serious! My heart is still racing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “horror” translations and entries 恐怖, 恐れ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
