Translation guide
Expressing fear or being scared in Japanese involves choosing the right word based on intensity, formality, and whether the fear is sudden or ongoing. Common verbs include 怖がる, 怖いと思う, and びくびくする. The adjective 怖い is often used to describe something as scary.
Expressing that someone is scared or afraid in a general sense.
The most common verb meaning 'to be scared' or 'to show fear'. Used for both people and animals.
彼は犬を怖がっている。
He is scared of dogs.
子供が暗闇を怖がるのは当然だ。
It's natural for children to be scared of the dark.
Literally 'think (something) is scary'. Used to express personal fear or that one finds something frightening.
あの映画は怖いと思った。
I thought that movie was scary.
To be jumpy or constantly scared, often due to nervousness or anticipation of something bad.
彼は上司に怒られないかとびくびくしている。
He's scared of being scolded by his boss.
To be terrified or cower in fear. Stronger and more literary than 怖がる.
彼女はその知らせに怯えた。
She was terrified by the news.
Expressing fear of a particular thing or situation.
Expressing a sudden scare or being startled by something unexpected.
To be surprised or startled. Can be used for both positive and negative surprises, but often implies a sudden scare.
急に大きな音がして驚いた。
I was startled by a sudden loud noise.
To be surprised or startled. Very common in casual speech.
後ろから声をかけられてびっくりした。
I got scared when someone called out from behind me.
To be startled or taken aback, often with a sense of shock or fright.
突然の悲鳴にぎょっとした。
I was startled by the sudden scream.
Expressing extreme fear that makes one freeze or unable to move.
Literally 'too scared to move'. A straightforward way to say you are frozen with fear.
怖くて動けなかった。
I was so scared I couldn't move.
To freeze or cower in fear. Often used in the form 怖くてすくむ.
彼は恐怖ですくんだ。
He froze in fear.
Idiom meaning 'to be scared stiff' or 'to have one's blood run cold'. Literally 'to chill one's liver'.
怖い is an adjective meaning 'scary' or 'frightening'. When you say 私は犬が怖い, it means 'Dogs are scary to me' (I am scared of dogs). 怖がる is a verb meaning 'to be scared' or 'to show fear'. It is often used to describe someone else's fear, as in 彼は犬を怖がる (He is scared of dogs). Using 怖い for others can sound presumptuous unless you are certain of their feelings.
私は犬が怖い。
I am scared of dogs.
彼は犬を怖がっている。
He is scared of dogs.
English 'be scared' is often translated as 怖がっている or 怖いと思う, not a direct copula with an adjective. Saying 私は怖い alone means 'I am scary', not 'I am scared'. Always include what you are scared of or use the appropriate verb form.
I was scared stiff when I heard that story.