Meaning

Primary

Scary

Word Type

い adjective

Explanation

This is a single kanji with an on the end, meaning you know it's probably an adjective. What's the adjective form of scary? It's also scary.

怖い is commonly used in everyday language to describe something that's scary on a more immediate or personal level.

Reading

こわい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

You know what's really scary, like double scary (because kanji and vocab both mean scary)? How about your coworkers (こわ). They are all insane, and you know it. Absolute nutjobs they are.

Context

Context Sentences

暗い道を歩くのはちょっと怖いな。

Walking down a dark road is a bit scary.

犬が苦手で、近づかれると怖いんです。

I'm not good with dogs, and I get scared when they come near.

あの映画、本当に怖かった!夜、一人で眠れなかったよ。

That movie was so scary! I couldn't sleep alone at night.

火星でマグニチュード7の地震が起きたんだってさ。怖いね!

It seems that a magnitude 7 earthquake occurred on Mars. Scary!

Kanji Composition