58
恐
Fear, Dread
おそれる (osoreru), おそろしい (osoroshii)
JLPT N3
Interesting Fact
Japan has a huge collection of supernatural creatures known as 妖怪 (ようかい). Some were terrifying, while others were simply strange or mischievous. During the Edo period, artists such as Toriyama Sekien created illustrated books filled with these creatures, turning frightening folklore into something people could enjoy. His works helped popularize many 妖怪 images that still influence Japanese horror, anime, manga, and video games today.
Memory Trick
“I saw a ghost at a construction(工) site, and my heart(心) is still pounding with fear—that’s 恐!”
Readings
Onyomi: キョウ (kyou)
Kunyomi: おそれる (osoreru), おそろしい (osoroshii)
Example Words
恐れる
おそれる (osoreru)
To fear
恐ろしい
おそろしい (osoroshii)
Terrible, frightening
恐怖
きょうふ (kyoufu)
Fear, terror
恐縮
きょうしゅく (kyoushuku)
Feeling obliged, grateful
Example Sentence
彼は失敗を恐れません。
かれ は しっぱい を おそれません。
kare wa shippai o osoremasen
He does not fear failure.