Meaning

Primary

Scary

Alternatives

Frightening, Eerie, Dreadful, I'm Afraid, I'm Scared

Word Type

interjection, 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 fear? Scary or frightening. It can also mean I'm afraid or I'm scared too.

Reading

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

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

You know what's really scary? Koalas (こわ). Have you ever heard one of those things? They're super scary, don't go near them.

Context

Context Sentences

俺の母親は世界で一番恐い。

My mother is the scariest in the world.

Kanji Composition