How to Say "Terror" in Japanese

恐怖

kyōfu[kʲo̞ːɸɯ̟]

The English word "terror" is translated into Japanese as 恐怖 (kyōfu).

恐怖 is a common and straightforward term used to describe the psychological feeling of terror or intense fear.

Meaning: terrorism (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word 恐怖 is composed of the characters 恐 (fear/dread) and 怖 (fear/fright).

There is a distinction between the emotion of terror and the political act of terrorism.

kyōfu

The character 恐 is used in both 恐怖 and the word for 'dinosaur' 恐竜, literally meaning 'fearable dragon'.
While 恐怖 describes the feeling of fear, the act of terrorism is expressed using テロ, which is a shortened version of the French word 'terrorisme'.
In Japanese pop culture, such as horror manga or anime, the sensation of being gripped by terror is often expressed with the onomatopoeia ゾクゾク (zokuzoku).

彼は恐怖で立ちすくんだ。
He was paralyzed with terror.
This sentence shows the use of 恐怖 to describe being paralyzed by a feeling.
Tatoeba #108363 by small_snow, translation #295323 by CH
彼女は恐怖で悲鳴をあげた。
She screamed with terror.
This sentence demonstrates using 恐怖 to describe a reaction of screaming.
Tatoeba #90468 by bunbuku, translation #313244 by CK
大多数の若者は戦争の恐怖を知らない。
Most young people don't know the terror of war.
This sentence illustrates the use of 恐怖 in the context of the terror of war.
Tatoeba #137408 by tommy__san, translation #275828 by CM
あの映画は本当に怖かった。
That movie was really terrifying.
3 more sentences on Tatoeba

Hiyori and Kenta are talking about the news.

陽葵 Himari

最近、世界中でテロの恐怖が増えていますね。
Saikin, sekaijuu de tero no kyoufu ga fuete imasu ne.
The fear of terrorism has been increasing worldwide lately, hasn't it?
健太 Kenta

本当に。ニュースを見るのが怖くなります。
Hontou ni. Nyuusu o miru no ga kowaku narimasu.
Truly. It makes me afraid to watch the news.
陽葵 Himari

平和に暮らせる日が来てほしいです。
Heiwa ni kuraseru hi ga kite hoshii desu.
I hope the day comes when we can live in peace.
健太 Kenta

同感だよ。みんなが安心できる世界がいいね。
Doukan da yo. Minna ga anshin dekiru sekai ga ii ne.
I agree. A world where everyone can feel safe would be best.

Sources

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