可怕
kěpà
The English word 'scary' is translated into Chinese as 可怕 (kěpà).
可怕 is used to describe things that cause fear or anxiety. It is versatile enough to be used for both literal physical dangers and abstract concepts, such as a 可怕 thought or a 可怕 situation. If you want to describe something as 'spooky', you might use 阴森 or if something is 'creepy', you can use the phrase 令人毛骨悚然.
Meaning: causing fear or anxiety (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 可怕 is composed of 可, meaning 'can' or 'able to' and 怕, meaning 'fear'. Literally, it means 'able to cause fear'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something is 'too scary' or 'extremely scary', it is common to use the pattern '太…了' (tài…le) around the adjective, resulting in the phrase 太可怕了.
How do you pronounce it?
kěpà
Did you know?
- In some dialects, describing something as 'scary' can be done by saying it 'scares the soul' (吓死魂魄), a much more visceral way of speaking than the English 'scary'.
- To describe a 'scary' or 'ominous' atmosphere, Chinese speakers often use the word 阴森, which specifically references the 'yin' energy of shadows and coldness associated with the afterlife.
- While 可怕 describes something scary, the word 怕 is often used in Chinese to mean 'to be afraid of' in a way that implies a preference. For example, saying you 怕 the cold often just means you dislike it or find it uncomfortable.
Examples in context
- 这太可怕了。It was extremely scary.This sentence is useful for expressing that something was extremely scary using the form 可怕.Tatoeba #7774749 by jiangche, translation #7782254 by sharris123
- 這是一個可怕的想法。It's a scary thought.This sentence is useful for describing a scary thought using the form 可怕.Tatoeba #13519348 by LeviHighway, translation #13237783 by atitarev
- 这是可怕一点儿。It's a little scary.This sentence is useful for saying something is a little scary using the form 可怕.Tatoeba #1894904 by sixtynine, translation #1894608 by CK
- 这部电影真恐怖！This movie is so scary!
- 他住的房子很恐怖。The house he lives in is very scary.
- 这个故事真吓人！This story is really scary!
- 那辆车开得好吓人。That car is driving so scarily.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A young woman and man are watching a horror movie together at home.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这个电影很可怕。Zhège diànyǐng hěn kěpà.This movie is very scary.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我也不喜欢这么可怕的故事。Wǒ yě bù xǐhuān zhème kěpà de gùshì.I don't like such scary stories either.
- 志强 Zhiqiang那我们换一个频道吧。Nà wǒmen huàn yīgè píndào ba.Then let's change the channel.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好，换个轻松的。Hǎo, huàn gè qīngsōng de.Okay, let's switch to something lighthearted.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
