When you see or do something a little bit scary or nerve-wracking, you might do it 怖々と (kowa-kowa-to). Imagine you're walking into a dark room or trying something new that makes your heart beat a little faster. You're not completely terrified, but you're doing it with a sense of fear or timidity. It's like taking a small, hesitant step because you're not entirely sure what's going to happen. Think of it as doing something with a bit of a "scaredy-cat" feeling.
When you see 怖々と (kowa kowa to), it means someone is doing something in a fearful or timid way. Think of it as moving carefully because you're a bit scared or uncertain.
You might use it to describe someone tiptoeing into a dark room, or a child shyly approaching a new animal. It really emphasizes that feeling of trepidation and careful movement due to fear.
When you want to express doing something fearfully or timidly, the Japanese word to use is 怖々と. Think of a situation where you're very hesitant and maybe a little scared to do something. For example, if you're exploring a dark cave, you might walk 怖々と, meaning you're moving carefully and nervously. It conveys a sense of trepidation, like you're not entirely sure about what you're doing or what might happen next. This adverb really emphasizes that feeling of fear or timidity in your actions.
When you use 怖々と (kowa-kowa to), it means someone is doing something while being really scared or timid. Imagine someone carefully walking into a dark room because they're afraid—that's 怖々と. It's not just being a little nervous; it's about acting with a noticeable sense of fear or hesitation, often because of a potential danger or an intimidating situation.
怖々と en 30 secondes
- Describes fear or timidity
- Doing something cautiously
- Apprehensive manner
§ Understanding 怖々と in Context
Alright, let's get into where you'll actually hear and see 怖々と (kowa kowa to) in real-world Japanese. This adverb means "fearfully," "timidly," or "with trepidation." It's not something you'd use in super casual chat, but it pops up when describing situations where someone is acting cautiously due to fear or apprehension. Think B2 level, so it's a bit more advanced than your beginner phrases.
§ 怖々と at Work and in Professional Settings
In a work context, 怖々と often describes someone's cautious approach to a new or challenging task, or their hesitant behavior in a difficult situation. It highlights an internal feeling of fear or anxiety that affects their actions.
彼は新しいプロジェクトに怖々と取り組んだ。
- Hint
- He fearfully (or timidly) tackled the new project.
Here, it suggests he wasn't exactly confident but pushed through with caution. You might also hear it in descriptions of someone speaking up in a tense meeting.
新入社員は上司に怖々と質問した。
- Hint
- The new employee timidly (or with trepidation) asked the boss a question.
This implies a sense of nervousness or being intimidated, which is a common feeling for new employees.
§ 怖々と in School and Academic Contexts
In school settings, 怖々と can describe students' reactions to challenging exams, difficult teachers, or unfamiliar situations. It captures that feeling of apprehension or anxiety.
生徒たちは試験結果を怖々と待った。
- Hint
- The students fearfully waited for the exam results.
It's not just about exams. It could be about presenting in front of the class:
彼はクラスの前で怖々と発表した。
- Hint
- He timidly (or nervously) presented in front of the class.
§ 怖々と in News and Media
In news reports, especially those dealing with sensitive or dangerous situations, 怖々と can be used to describe people's reactions or movements. It adds a layer of emotional depth to the report.
住民たちは警戒しながら、怖々と避難した。
- Hint
- The residents evacuated fearfully (or with trepidation) while being on alert.
Here, it emphasizes the danger and the residents' emotional state. It's often used when describing people facing uncertainty or danger.
調査団は怖々と未開の地を進んだ。
- Hint
- The survey team fearfully advanced into the unexplored territory.
§ Key Takeaways for 怖々と
So, to sum it up:
Use 怖々と when you want to describe someone acting with a sense of fear, timidity, or trepidation.
It's common in contexts where there's an element of risk, uncertainty, or intimidation.
You'll see it in descriptions of people approaching new tasks, reacting to difficult situations, or navigating dangerous environments.
Keep practicing with these examples, and you'll get a solid feel for when and how to use 怖々と naturally. It's a useful word to add depth to your Japanese descriptions.
You've learned that 怖々と (こわごわ) means fearfully, timidly, or with trepidation. Now, let's look at how it compares to similar Japanese words and when to use 怖々と in particular. This will help you choose the most accurate word for what you want to say.
§ Understanding the Nuance of 怖々と
The key characteristic of 怖々と is its emphasis on a noticeable, often physical, display of fear or apprehension. It's not just an internal feeling; it's visible in someone's actions or demeanor. Think of someone gingerly approaching something scary, or speaking hesitantly because they're nervous.
§ Similar Words and Their Differences
Here are some words often confused with or considered alternatives to 怖々と:
- 恐る恐る (おそるおそる - osoruosoru)
- DEFINITION
- This is very close to 怖々と. It also means fearfully, timidly, or cautiously. Often, they can be used interchangeably.
彼は恐る恐る
Hint: He fearfully/cautiously opened the door.
- おずおずと (ozuozo to)
- DEFINITION
- Means timidly, hesitantly, or diffidently. It highlights shyness, reluctance, or embarrassment more than direct fear. The action is done with noticeable hesitation.
彼女はおずおずと
Hint: She asked the question timidly/hesitantly.
- びくびく (bikubiku - onomatopoeia)
- DEFINITION
- This is an onomatopoeia that describes being nervous, scared, or constantly on edge, often anticipating something bad. It implies a state of being rather than a specific action.
いつも上司にびくびくしている。
Hint: He is always nervous/on edge around his boss.
- 用心深く (ようじんぶかく - youjinbukaku)
- DEFINITION
- This means cautiously, warily, or circumspectly. It focuses on being careful and alert to avoid danger, rather than expressing fear itself.
彼は用心深く周囲を見回した。
Hint: He looked around cautiously.
§ When to Use 怖々と
Choose 怖々と when you want to convey:
- Visible apprehension: The fear causes a character to act tentatively, slowly, or with shaking hands.
- Hesitation due to fear: The action is performed, but with clear reluctance and nervousness because of a perceived threat or scary situation.
- A sense of gingerly movement: Approaching something cautiously because it might be dangerous or startling.
For example, if a child is touching a strange, new animal, they might do it 怖々と. If an adult is entering a dark, unfamiliar room, they might step in 怖々と. The fear is palpable and influences their movement.
How Formal Is It?
"学生は教授に恐る恐る質問した。(The student timidly asked the professor a question.)"
"彼は怖々と扉を開けた。(He fearfully opened the door.)"
"子供がおっかなびっくり犬に近づいた。(The child cautiously approached the dog.)"
"こわごわお化け屋敷に入ったよ。(I timidly entered the haunted house.)"
Le savais-tu ?
Reduplication is a common linguistic process in Japanese to emphasize or intensify a meaning, often creating onomatopoeic or mimetic words.
Niveau de difficulté
The kanji is common, and the word itself is relatively short.
Short word, common kanji.
Pronunciation is straightforward.
Clear and distinct pronunciation.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Exemples par niveau
子供は怖々と新しいおもちゃに触った。
The child fearfully touched the new toy.
彼は怖々と部屋に入っていった。
He timidly went into the room.
猫は怖々と私を見た。
The cat fearfully looked at me.
私は怖々とドアを開けた。
I timidly opened the door.
犬は怖々と知らない人から逃げた。
The dog fearfully ran away from the stranger.
彼女は怖々と質問に答えた。
She timidly answered the question.
彼は怖々とその場所へ向かった。
He fearfully headed to that place.
みんな怖々とその音を聞いた。
Everyone timidly heard that sound.
子供は犬を怖々と見た。
The child looked at the dog fearfully.
彼はドアを怖々と開けた。
He timidly opened the door.
彼女は新しい仕事に怖々としていた。
She was apprehensive about her new job.
猫は初めての場所で怖々と歩いた。
The cat walked timidly in the new place.
生徒は先生の質問に怖々と答えた。
The student fearfully answered the teacher's question.
暗い道を怖々と進んだ。
I advanced timidly down the dark road.
初めての海外旅行で、彼女は少し怖々としていた。
She was a little apprehensive about her first trip abroad.
彼は上司の機嫌を怖々と伺った。
He timidly gauged his boss's mood.
子供は怖々と新しい犬に近づいた。
The child fearfully approached the new dog.
怖々と modifies the verb '近づいた' (approached), indicating the manner of the action.
彼女は怖々と暗い部屋に入った。
She timidly entered the dark room.
Here, 怖々と describes the hesitating and cautious way she entered.
初めてのバンジージャンプで、彼は怖々と足を踏み出した。
For his first bungee jump, he fearfully stepped forward.
This shows the feeling of apprehension before a daunting task.
発表者は怖々と聴衆の顔を見た。
The presenter timidly looked at the audience's faces.
Describes a nervous or hesitant gaze.
手術の説明を聞いて、患者は怖々と同意した。
After hearing the explanation of the surgery, the patient timidly agreed.
Implies agreement given with some reluctance or anxiety.
彼は怖々と上司に間違いを報告した。
He fearfully reported his mistake to his boss.
Shows the apprehension of delivering bad news.
猫は怖々と見知らぬ人から隠れた。
The cat timidly hid from the stranger.
Illustrates a cautious and wary action.
その少年は怖々と幽霊の話を聞いた。
The boy listened to the ghost story with trepidation.
Conveys a sense of dread or unease while listening.
子供は新しい犬に怖々と近づいた。
The child approached the new dog fearfully.
彼は、自分の秘密が露見するのではないかと怖々と考えていた。
He thought fearfully that his secret might be revealed.
暗い夜道を怖々と一人で歩いた。
I walked alone down the dark road timidly.
新しい仕事の責任に怖々と向き合った。
I faced the responsibilities of my new job with trepidation.
彼女は怖々とドアを開け、中の様子を伺った。
She fearfully opened the door and peered inside.
試験の結果を聞くのが怖々と感じた。
I felt timid about hearing the exam results.
上司に自分の意見を述べるのを怖々とためらった。
I timidly hesitated to state my opinion to my boss.
未知の場所へ怖々と足を踏み入れた。
I fearfully stepped into an unknown place.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
彼は怖々とドアを開けた。
He fearfully opened the door.
子供は怖々と母親の後ろに隠れた。
The child timidly hid behind their mother.
彼女は怖々と彼の目を見つめた。
She timidly gazed into his eyes.
怖々と彼は一歩を踏み出した。
Fearfully, he took a step forward.
試験の結果を聞くのが怖々だった。
I was fearful of hearing the exam results.
怖々と知らない道を歩いた。
I timidly walked down an unfamiliar road.
その音に怖々と身をすくめた。
I cowered fearfully at the sound.
彼は怖々と自分の意見を述べた。
He fearfully stated his opinion.
新しい環境に怖々としている。
I am feeling timid about the new environment.
怖々と暗闇の中を進んだ。
I timidly proceeded through the darkness.
Souvent confondu avec
This is a verb meaning 'to get cold feet,' 'to be scared off,' or 'to lose courage.' While related to fear, 怖々と is an adverb describing the manner of an action, not the act of becoming fearful itself.
This is a noun/adjective meaning 'cowardice' or 'timid.' It describes a personal trait or state of being, whereas 怖々と describes how an action is performed due to fear.
This is an idiom meaning 'trembling with fear' or 'living in constant dread.' It's a much stronger, more intense, and sustained state of fear compared to the momentary or situational hesitation described by 怖々と.
Modèles grammaticaux
Facile à confondre
This is very close in meaning to 怖々と. Both express fear or hesitation. The nuance can be subtle.
怖々と often emphasizes the internal feeling of fear or trepidation, leading to hesitant actions. 恐る恐る can emphasize the cautiousness or timidity in one's actions due to fear, sometimes implying a more outward manifestation of that fear.
新しいことに恐る恐る挑戦した。 (I timidly tried something new.)
びくびく also describes being fearful or nervous, and can lead to hesitant movements. It's often used for situations where one is easily startled or constantly on edge.
怖々と implies a deeper, more profound sense of dread or trepidation. びくびく suggests a more superficial nervousness or skittishness, often with a physical reaction like flinching.
先生に怒られないかびくびくしていた。 (I was nervous about being scolded by the teacher.)
This word also describes acting hesitantly due to timidity or fear, making it similar to 怖々と.
怖々と emphasizes the internal feeling of fear or apprehension driving the hesitation. おずおず tends to focus more on the external manifestation of hesitation or shyness in one's actions or speech.
彼は彼女におずおずと話しかけた。 (He hesitantly spoke to her.)
This phrase means 'fearfully and cautiously' or 'with fear and trembling,' which sounds very similar to 怖々と.
おっかなびっくり often implies a situation where one is both scared and surprised, or where they are proceeding with extreme caution because of potential danger. 怖々と can be a more general feeling of fear causing hesitation, not necessarily tied to surprise or immediate danger.
初めての海外旅行でおっかなびっくり飛行機に乗った。 (I nervously got on the plane for my first overseas trip.)
While not directly meaning 'fearfully,' 恐縮 expresses a feeling of being very grateful or apologetic to the point of being overwhelmed or feeling small, which can lead to a kind of hesitant politeness that might be mistaken for fear in some contexts.
怖々と is about actual fear or apprehension. 恐縮 is about profound gratitude or apology, leading to a sense of humility or awe. The 'hesitation' comes from a different emotional root.
お忙しいところ恐縮ですが、少々お時間をいただけますでしょうか。 (I apologize for disturbing you when you're busy, but could I have a moment of your time?)
Structures de phrases
怖々と〜する (kowa kowa to ~ suru)
彼は怖々とドアを開けた。
〜を怖々と見る (~ o kowa kowa to miru)
彼女は怖々と暗い森を見た。
怖々と〜に近づく (kowa kowa to ~ ni chikazuku)
子供たちは怖々と見知らぬ犬に近づいた。
Astuces
Basic Meaning of 怖々と
Understand that 怖々と (kowa kowa to) describes an action done with fear or timidity. It's an adverb, so it modifies verbs.
Visualizing 怖々と
Imagine someone walking slowly and cautiously, perhaps looking over their shoulder. That's the feeling 怖々と conveys. It's not just feeling fear, but acting on it.
Common Verb Pairings
You'll often see 怖々と used with verbs like 歩く (aruku - to walk), 見る (miru - to look), or 話す (hanasu - to speak) to show a fearful or timid manner. For example, 怖々と歩く (kowa kowa to aruku) means to walk fearfully.
Difference from 恐る恐る
While similar to 恐る恐る (osoru osoru - timidly, cautiously), 怖々と often implies a more direct, perhaps even physical manifestation of fear in actions. 恐る恐る can be more about mental hesitation.
Use with Caution
Don't overuse it. It's a specific adverb for when the action is truly driven by fear or timidity. Sometimes, simpler adverbs like ゆっくり (yukkuri - slowly) or 静かに (shizuka ni - quietly) might be more appropriate if the fear isn't the main point.
Reading Practice
Look for 怖々と in Japanese novels or short stories. Pay attention to the situations where characters act 怖々と. This helps you grasp its natural usage.
Pronunciation Practice
Practice saying 怖々と (kowa kowa to) aloud. The repetition of 'kowa' emphasizes the feeling of hesitation and fear.
Example Sentence 1
子供は犬に怖々と近づいた。
(Kodomo wa inu ni kowa kowa to chikazuita.)
The child approached the dog fearfully.
Example Sentence 2
彼女は上司の目を怖々と盗み見た。
(Kanojo wa joushi no me wo kowa kowa to nusumi mita.)
She timidly stole a glance at her boss.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Imagine a 'COW-a COW-a' (こわごわ) walking on a tightrope, 'fearfully' and 'timidly' trying not to fall.
Association visuelle
Picture someone tiptoeing very slowly, wide-eyed and hunched over, as if they're terrified of what's around the corner. That hesitant, fearful movement is exactly what 怖々と conveys.
Word Web
Défi
Describe a time you felt 怖々と. For example, 'I 怖々と walked into the haunted house.' Or, 'When I had to give a presentation, I 怖々と approached the podium.'
Origine du mot
The word 怖々と (kowa-kowa) is formed by reduplication of the adverb 怖く (kowaku), which is derived from the adjective 怖い (kowai), meaning 'scary' or 'frightening.'
Sens originel : The repetition emphasizes the feeling of fear or timidity.
JaponicContexte culturel
When someone acts 怖々と, it suggests they are moving or speaking with extreme caution due to fear, rather than just being generally scared. This can be seen in situations where one is exploring a haunted house, approaching a dangerous animal, or even delivering bad news to a superior.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Describing someone approaching a scary situation or object.
- 怖々と近づく (kowa-kowa to chikazuku) - to approach fearfully
- 怖々と触る (kowa-kowa to sawaru) - to touch timidly
- 怖々と中を見る (kowa-kowa to naka o miru) - to look inside with trepidation
Describing someone performing an action they are afraid of.
- 怖々と食べる (kowa-kowa to taberu) - to eat timidly (e.g., something new or unappetizing)
- 怖々と歩く (kowa-kowa to aruku) - to walk fearfully (e.g., in a dark place)
- 怖々と話す (kowa-kowa to hanasu) - to speak timidly
Describing someone reacting to something unexpected or frightening.
- 怖々と見る (kowa-kowa to miru) - to look fearfully
- 怖々と聞く (kowa-kowa to kiku) - to listen timidly
- 怖々と開ける (kowa-kowa to akeru) - to open timidly (e.g., a mysterious box)
Describing an animal's timid behavior.
- 猫が怖々と隠れる (neko ga kowa-kowa to kakureru) - the cat hides fearfully
- 犬が怖々と吠える (inu ga kowa-kowa to hoeru) - the dog barks timidly
- 鳥が怖々と餌をつつく (tori ga kowa-kowa to esa o tsutsuku) - the bird pecks at the food timidly
Describing someone venturing into an unfamiliar or potentially dangerous place.
- 怖々と森に入る (kowa-kowa to mori ni hairu) - to enter the forest fearfully
- 怖々と知らない道を歩く (kowa-kowa to shiranai michi o aruku) - to walk a strange road timidly
- 怖々とドアを開ける (kowa-kowa to doa o akeru) - to open the door with trepidation
Amorces de conversation
"最近、何か怖々とした経験をしましたか？ (Saikin, nanika kowa-kowa to shita keiken o shimashita ka?) - Have you had any recent fearful experiences?"
"子供の頃、怖々と何かを試したことはありますか？ (Kodomo no koro, kowa-kowa to nanika o tameshita koto wa arimasu ka?) - As a child, did you ever timidly try something new?"
"もし幽霊の出る家に入るとしたら、どんな気持ちで怖々と入りますか？ (Moshi yūrei no deru ie ni hairu to shitara, donna kimochi de kowa-kowa to hairimasu ka?) - If you were to enter a haunted house, with what feeling would you fearfully enter?"
"新しいことを始めるとき、怖々とした気持ちになりますか？ (Atarashii koto o hajimeru toki, kowa-kowa to shita kimochi ni narimasu ka?) - Do you feel timid when starting something new?"
"あなたのペットは、どんな時に怖々とした態度を見せますか？ (Anata no petto wa, donna toki ni kowa-kowa to shita taido o misemasu ka?) - When does your pet show timid behavior?"
Sujets d'écriture
怖々と何かをした時のことを詳しく書いてみましょう。(Kowa-kowa to nanika o shita toki no koto o kuwashiku kaite mimashō.) - Write in detail about a time you did something fearfully.
怖々と感じる状況と、その時の自分の感情を描写してください。(Kowa-kowa to kanjiru jōkyō to, sono toki no jibun no kanjō o byōsha shite kudasai.) - Describe a situation where you feel timid, and your emotions at that time.
もしあなたがすごく怖がりな動物だったら、どんな風に怖々と行動しますか？(Moshi anata ga sugoku kowagari na dōbutsu dattara, donna fū ni kowa-kowa to kōdō shimasu ka?) - If you were a very timid animal, how would you act fearfully?
怖々とした気持ちを乗り越えた経験について書いてみましょう。(Kowa-kowa to shita kimochi o norikoeta keiken ni tsuite kaite mimashō.) - Write about an experience where you overcame a timid feeling.
普段の生活で、怖々としがちな場面とその理由について考えてみてください。(Fudan no seikatsu de, kowa-kowa to shigachi na bamen to sono riyū ni tsuite kangaete mite kudasai.) - Think about situations in daily life where you tend to be timid, and the reasons why.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYou can use 怖々と as an adverb to describe how someone performs an action. For example, 子供は暗い部屋に怖々と入った。 (The child fearfully entered the dark room.) Here, 怖々と modifies the verb 入った (entered).
No, 怖々と specifically conveys a sense of fear, timidity, or trepidation. It's not typically used for other emotions like anger or sadness.
It's not as common as more direct expressions of fear like 怖い (kowai). You'll probably encounter 怖々と more often in written contexts or when describing a nuanced sense of apprehension.
Both convey fear. 怖々と emphasizes the timid or cautious way an action is performed due to fear. 恐る恐る is very similar and can often be used interchangeably, but it can sometimes carry a slightly stronger nuance of being hesitant or tentative due to awe or respect, in addition to fear. For practical purposes, they are often interchangeable.
Yes, if the action itself doesn't involve any physical movement or cautious behavior, it might sound unnatural. For example, you wouldn't say 怖々と嬉しい (fearfully happy). It needs to describe an action taken with trepidation.
You can use it with verbs that describe actions that can be performed timidly or fearfully. Common examples include verbs of movement (入る - enter, 歩く - walk) or actions requiring carefulness (触る - touch, 見る - look at).
Not necessarily extreme fear. It can also imply a mild apprehension or hesitation due to a perceived threat or uncertainty. It's more about the cautious manner of action than the intensity of the fear itself.
The kanji is 怖 (kowai - scary/frightening). The repetition (々) is a common way to form adverbs in Japanese, indicating a repeated or continuous state/manner.
Yes, absolutely. For instance, 猫は初めての場所で怖々と歩いた。 (The cat fearfully walked in the new place.)
For casual speech, people might just use 怖くて (kowakute - because it's scary) followed by a verb, or describe the action more simply. 怖々と has a slightly more literary or formal feel, though it's not overly formal.
Teste-toi 132 questions
彼女は___とドアを開けた。(She ___ opened the door.)
The context implies she opened the door fearfully. 'そっと' means gently, 'ゆっくり' means slowly, and 'すぐに' means immediately.
子どもは犬に___と近づいた。(The child ___ approached the dog.)
A child might approach a dog timidly or fearfully. '元気に' means energetically, '楽しく' means happily, and '早く' means quickly.
彼は新しい仕事に___と挑戦した。(He ___ challenged the new job.)
Starting a new job can be daunting, so 'fearfully' or 'with trepidation' fits. '自信満々に' means confidently, '喜んで' means gladly, and '簡単に' means easily.
暗い道を___と歩いた。(I walked down the dark road ___.)
Walking on a dark road often makes one feel fearful. '一人で' means alone, '急いで' means in a hurry, and '静かに' means quietly.
初めての飛行機は___と乗った。(I got on the first airplane ___.)
Many people feel fearful or timid on their first airplane ride. '楽しく' means happily, 'スムーズに' means smoothly, and 'すぐに' means immediately.
先生に質問をする時、彼は___と手を挙げた。(When asking the teacher a question, he raised his hand ___.)
Some students might timidly raise their hand to ask a question. '元気に' means energetically, '早く' means quickly, and '大きく' means largely.
Choose the correct hiragana for 'inu' (dog).
'いぬ' is the correct hiragana spelling for 'dog'.
Which of these means 'apple'?
'りんご' means 'apple' in Japanese.
What is 'hello' in Japanese?
'こんにちは' is a common way to say 'hello' or 'good afternoon'.
The word 'ありがとう' means 'thank you'.
Yes, 'ありがとう' is used to express gratitude.
The Japanese character 'あ' is pronounced 'ko'.
No, 'あ' is pronounced 'a'. 'こ' is 'ko'.
'はい' means 'yes' in Japanese.
Correct, 'はい' is the Japanese word for 'yes'.
The speaker is identifying an object as theirs.
A common greeting.
A word of thanks.
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はい、そうです。
Focus: hai
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Read this aloud:
さようなら。
Focus: sayounara
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Read this aloud:
すみません。
Focus: sumimasen
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This sentence means 'I am a student.' The typical Japanese sentence structure is Subject-Object-Verb, and particles like は (wa) mark the topic.
This sentence means 'This is a book.' これ (kore) means 'this', and は (wa) is a topic particle. です (desu) is a polite copula.
This sentence means 'What is that (over there)?' あれ (are) means 'that over there', 何 (nani) means 'what', and ですか (desu ka) makes it a polite question.
子供は暗い部屋に___入っていった。
The child entered the dark room fearfully. 「怖々と」 (kowa kowa to) means fearfully or timidly, which fits the context of entering a dark room.
初めての海外旅行で、彼女は___飛行機に乗った。
For her first international trip, she boarded the plane timidly. 「怖々と」 (kowa kowa to) describes her timid feeling.
試験の結果を見るのが___。
Looking at the test results is something one does fearfully. 「怖々と」 (kowa kowa to) suggests apprehension.
犬は知らない人を見ると___隠れる。
When the dog sees a stranger, it hides timidly. 「怖々と」 (kowa kowa to) indicates a timid reaction.
彼は___細い橋を渡った。
He crossed the narrow bridge fearfully. 「怖々と」 (kowa kowa to) expresses fear or trepidation.
初めての発表で、彼は___マイクの前に立った。
For his first presentation, he stood before the microphone timidly. 「怖々と」 (kowa kowa to) conveys a sense of nervousness.
The child hid behind their parents.
He opened the door.
Riding a roller coaster for the first time.
Read this aloud:
彼女は怖々と暗い部屋に入った。
Focus: こわごわと
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Read this aloud:
猫は怖々と新しいおもちゃに近づいた。
Focus: こわごわと
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Read this aloud:
怖々と上司に質問した。
Focus: こわごわと
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This sentence means 'He fearfully opened the door.' The order follows a typical Japanese sentence structure: Subject (彼), particle (が), adverb (怖々と), object (ドアを), and verb (開けた).
This sentence means 'The child timidly entered the dark room.' The order is Subject (子供は), adverb (怖々と), adjective (暗い), noun (部屋に), and verb (入った).
This sentence means 'The cat timidly approached the stranger.' The order is Subject (猫は), adverb (怖々と), adjective (知らない), noun (人に), and verb (近づいた).
子供は暗い部屋に___入っていった。
The child entered the dark room fearfully. 「怖々と」 (kowa-kowa to) means 'fearfully' or 'timidly'.
新しい学校で、彼は___教室に入った。
He entered the classroom timidly at the new school. 「怖々と」 (kowa-kowa to) fits the context of entering a new place with trepidation.
初めての海外旅行で、彼女は___飛行機に乗った。
For her first overseas trip, she boarded the airplane fearfully. 「怖々と」 (kowa-kowa to) expresses the feeling of fear or apprehension.
大きな犬を見て、猫は___逃げ出した。
Seeing the big dog, the cat ran away fearfully. 「怖々と」 (kowa-kowa to) describes the cat's fearful reaction.
テストの結果を聞くとき、学生たちは___待っていた。
When hearing the test results, the students waited fearfully. 「怖々と」 (kowa-kowa to) conveys the anxiety and apprehension of waiting for results.
暗闇の中、彼は___一歩を踏み出した。
In the darkness, he took a step fearfully. 「怖々と」 (kowa-kowa to) describes his hesitant and fearful movement in the dark.
Choose the best English translation for 「怖々と」:
「怖々と」means 'fearfully' or 'timidly'.
Which Japanese word is closest in meaning to 「怖々と」?
「恐る恐る」also means 'fearfully' or 'timidly', making it the closest synonym.
In the sentence 「彼は怖々と部屋に入った。」(Kare wa kowa kowa to heya ni haitta.), how did he enter the room?
「怖々と」describes the manner of entering as 'fearfully' or 'with trepidation'.
「怖々と」can be used to describe someone feeling brave.
「怖々と」describes feeling fearful or timid, not brave.
You can use 「怖々と」to describe a loud action.
「怖々と」relates to fear or timidity, which often implies quiet or hesitant actions, not necessarily loud ones.
「怖々と」is typically used to describe an emotion or manner of action.
「怖々と」is an adverb that describes how someone acts, often due to fear or timidity.
The child approached the new dog fearfully.
He timidly reported the mistake to his boss.
They proceeded fearfully through the dark forest.
Read this aloud:
彼女は怖々とドアを開けた。
Focus: こわごわ (kowagowa)
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Read this aloud:
僕は怖々とそのニュースを聞いた。
Focus: そのニュース (sono nyuusu)
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Read this aloud:
猫は怖々とテーブルの下に隠れた。
Focus: テーブルの下 (teeburu no shita)
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This sentence describes someone entering a room fearfully. '彼' (he) is the subject, '怖々と' (fearfully) modifies the verb '入った' (entered), and '部屋に' (into the room) is the destination.
This sentence means 'She fearfully started the presentation.' '彼女' (she) is the subject, '怖々と' (fearfully) modifies '始めた' (started), and '発表を' (the presentation) is the direct object.
This sentence means 'The child fearfully touched the dog.' '子供は' (the child) is the subject, '怖々と' (fearfully) modifies '触った' (touched), and '犬に' (the dog) is the indirect object.
彼女は新しい環境に慣れるまで、いつも___していた。
The context implies she was timid or fearful until she got used to the new environment. '怖々と' fits this meaning.
暗い夜道を一人で歩くのは、やはり___するものだ。
Walking alone on a dark road naturally evokes a feeling of fear or trepidation, making '怖々と' the correct choice.
初めての海外旅行で、彼は___飛行機に乗った。
For a first-time international traveler, boarding a plane might cause some anxiety or timidity, hence '怖々と' is appropriate.
「怖々と」は、自信を持って行動する様子を表す。
「怖々と」describes acting fearfully or timidly, which is the opposite of acting with confidence.
初めての経験で緊張する状況で「怖々と」を使うのは適切である。
「怖々と」is used to describe apprehension or timidity, which is often present in new or unfamiliar situations.
「怖々と」は、喜びや楽しみの感情を表現する際に用いられる。
「怖々と」expresses fear or trepidation, not joy or excitement.
The child stepped into the new environment...
She stated her opinion to her boss...
I walked alone on the dark night road...
Read this aloud:
怖々と質問する。
Focus: こわごわと しつもんする
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Read this aloud:
初めての場所で怖々と行動する。
Focus: はじめてのばしょで こわごわと こうどうする
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Read this aloud:
怖々と扉を開ける。
Focus: こわごわと とびらをあける
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Describe a time you felt 怖々と (fearfully) approaching a new situation or challenge. What was it, and how did you overcome your apprehension?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私は初めて海外で一人暮らしをするとき、怖々と飛行機に乗りました。しかし、新しい文化や人々と出会うことを楽しみにして、その不安を乗り越えました。
Imagine you are a character in a story who must confront something intimidating. Use 怖々と to describe their actions and feelings in that moment.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
彼は暗い森の中を怖々と進んだ。何か恐ろしいものが潜んでいるような気がして、一歩一歩が重かった。
Write a short paragraph about how a child might react 怖々と to a new, unfamiliar experience, such as their first day of school or a visit to the doctor.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
初めての幼稚園の日、小さな女の子は母親の手を怖々と握りしめ、新しい環境に戸惑っていた。先生の顔をちらりと見ては、すぐに隠れてしまった。
この文脈で「怖々と」は何を示していますか？ (In this context, what does '怖々と' indicate?)
Read this passage:
彼女は新しいプロジェクトの発表を前に、怖々と会議室のドアを開けた。心臓がドキドキし、手のひらには汗がにじんでいた。しかし、一度話し始めると、その不安は少しずつ薄れていった。
この文脈で「怖々と」は何を示していますか？ (In this context, what does '怖々と' indicate?)
文中の「心臓がドキドキし、手のひらには汗がにじんでいた」という表現から、彼女が緊張と不安を感じていたことがわかります。「怖々と」は、そのような感情を伴う行動を表します。
文中の「心臓がドキドキし、手のひらには汗がにじんでいた」という表現から、彼女が緊張と不安を感じていたことがわかります。「怖々と」は、そのような感情を伴う行動を表します。
なぜ若者たちは「怖々と」廃病院に入ったのでしょうか？ (Why did the young people enter the abandoned hospital '怖々と'?)
Read this passage:
夜の廃病院を探索する若者たちは、怖々とその中へと足を踏み入れた。どこからともなく聞こえる物音に、彼らは互いに顔を見合わせた。しかし、好奇心には勝てず、さらに奥へと進んでいった。
なぜ若者たちは「怖々と」廃病院に入ったのでしょうか？ (Why did the young people enter the abandoned hospital '怖々と'?)
「怖々と」という言葉と、「どこからともなく聞こえる物音に、彼らは互いに顔を見合わせた」という記述から、彼らが恐れを感じながらも、好奇心から探索を進めたことがわかります。
「怖々と」という言葉と、「どこからともなく聞こえる物音に、彼らは互いに顔を見合わせた」という記述から、彼らが恐れを感じながらも、好奇心から探索を進めたことがわかります。
この状況で「怖々と」が表す彼の感情に最も近いものは何ですか？ (What emotion is '怖々と' most closely representing in this situation?)
Read this passage:
初めてのバンジージャンプに挑戦する彼は、怖々と塔の縁に立った。足がすくみ、下を見るのが怖かった。インストラクターの励ましの声に、彼は深呼吸をして一歩踏み出した。
この状況で「怖々と」が表す彼の感情に最も近いものは何ですか？ (What emotion is '怖々と' most closely representing in this situation?)
バンジージャンプという極限状況で「怖々と」という表現が使われていることから、恐怖とためらいの感情を強く示しています。「足がすくみ、下を見るのが怖かった」という具体的な描写もそれを裏付けています。
バンジージャンプという極限状況で「怖々と」という表現が使われていることから、恐怖とためらいの感情を強く示しています。「足がすくみ、下を見るのが怖かった」という具体的な描写もそれを裏付けています。
暗い夜道を一人で歩くのは、誰でも___なるだろう。
The context implies a feeling of fear or trepidation when walking alone at night. '怖々と' (fearfully, timidly) fits this meaning.
初めての大舞台で、彼は___スピーチを始めた。
Facing a big stage for the first time would naturally make someone nervous or timid. '怖々と' (fearfully, timidly) conveys this feeling.
未知の場所へ足を踏み入れるのは、いつも少し___。
Exploring an unknown place can evoke a sense of apprehension or fear. '怖々と' (fearfully, timidly) captures this sentiment.
彼女は___自分の意見を述べた。
If someone is hesitant or timid about expressing their opinion, '怖々と' (timidly) is the appropriate adverb.
その知らせを聞いて、彼は___顔色を変えた。
Hearing a disturbing piece of news would likely cause someone to change their expression fearfully or with trepidation. '怖々と' (fearfully) is suitable here.
子供は犬に___近づいた。
A child might approach an unfamiliar dog with a sense of caution or timidity. '怖々と' (timidly) describes this action.
彼女は新しい環境に慣れるまで、いつも___と行動していた。
文脈から、新しい環境で「おずおずと」「びくびくと」行動するという意味が適切です。
初めての大舞台で、彼は___とスピーチを始めたが、すぐに自信を取り戻した。
「初めての大舞台」という状況では、最初は「おそるおそる」始めるのが自然です。
暗い夜道を一人で歩くとき、彼女は背後を___と振り返った。
「暗い夜道」で「背後を振り返る」状況から、「恐る恐る」振り返る様子が適切です。
「怖々と」は、自信を持って堂々と行動する様子を表す。
「怖々と」は「恐る恐る、びくびくと」という意味で、自信がない様子を表します。
「怖々と」は、危険や未知の状況に対して警戒しながら進む様子に使うことができる。
危険や未知の状況に対して「恐る恐る」進むという意味合いで使われます。
彼は新しいプロジェクトに___と挑戦し、大成功を収めた。
「怖々と」挑戦して「大成功を収めた」という組み合わせは不自然です。「怖々と」はためらいや不安を伴う行動を表すため、通常、ポジティブな結果とは直接結びつきません。
A child entered a dark room.
He reported a mistake to his boss.
She took a step into a new job.
Read this aloud:
怖々としながらも、その犬に近づいてみた。
Focus: こわごわと しながらも その いぬに ちかづいて みた
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初めての海外旅行で、怖々と飛行機に乗った。
Focus: はじめての かいがいりょこうで こわごわと ひこうきに のった
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Read this aloud:
彼は未知の領域に怖々と足を踏み入れた。
Focus: かれは みちの りょういきに こわごわと あしを ふみいれた
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Describe a time you approached a challenging situation 怖々と (fearfully). What did you do, and what was the outcome?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
新しいプロジェクトを始める際、その責任の重さに怖々としました。しかし、一つずつ課題を解決していくことで、最終的には成功を収めることができました。
Imagine you are meeting someone very important for the first time. How might you feel and act 怖々と? Write a short paragraph describing the scene.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
著名な教授との初対面では、私は怖々と彼の研究室のドアをノックした。自分の言葉がきちんと伝わるか心配で、少し声が震えてしまった。
Use 怖々と in a sentence about a small child's reaction to something new and unfamiliar.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
子供は新しいおもちゃを怖々と手に取り、じっと見つめていた。
この文章から、筆者は主人公についてどのように考えていると推測できますか？
Read this passage:
彼は未知の道を進むことに対し、常に怖々としながらも一歩を踏み出す勇気を持っていた。その結果、彼は多くの困難を乗り越え、新しい発見をすることができた。
この文章から、筆者は主人公についてどのように考えていると推測できますか？
「怖々としながらも一歩を踏み出す勇気を持っていた」という記述から、用心深さと勇敢さの両方を持ち合わせていることが分かります。
「怖々としながらも一歩を踏み出す勇気を持っていた」という記述から、用心深さと勇敢さの両方を持ち合わせていることが分かります。
この状況で「怖々と」感じるのは、主にどのような感情から来ていますか？
Read this passage:
深夜の森の中を一人で歩くのは、誰にとっても怖々とすることだろう。聞こえてくるわずかな物音にも、心臓が大きく跳ね上がる。
この状況で「怖々と」感じるのは、主にどのような感情から来ていますか？
「深夜の森」「一人で歩く」「心臓が大きく跳ね上がる」といった言葉から、不安や恐怖の感情が強く表れています。
「深夜の森」「一人で歩く」「心臓が大きく跳ね上がる」といった言葉から、不安や恐怖の感情が強く表れています。
「怖々と」という言葉が表している、彼女の気持ちに最も近いものはどれですか？
Read this passage:
新しい職場での初日、彼女は怖々と上司の指示を聞いた。自分の能力が試されることに、少なからず緊張を感じていたからだ。
「怖々と」という言葉が表している、彼女の気持ちに最も近いものはどれですか？
「新しい職場」「初日」「自分の能力が試される」「緊張を感じていた」という文脈から、「怖々と」は不安と緊張を表しています。
「新しい職場」「初日」「自分の能力が試される」「緊張を感じていた」という文脈から、「怖々と」は不安と緊張を表しています。
暗い夜道を一人で歩くのは、誰でも少し___なるものだ。
「怖々と」は副詞で、「怖々となる」や「怖々と歩く」のように動詞や形容動詞を修飾します。
彼は新しい上司に___、自分の意見を述べた。
「怖々と」は副詞で、この文脈では「おそるおそる」という意味で使われます。
子供たちは、初めてのジェットコースターに___乗り込んだ。
「怖々と」は副詞で、「おそるおそる」という様子を表します。
真夜中に電話が鳴り、彼女は___受話器を取った。
「怖々と」は副詞で、恐れながら、おそるおそる、という意味になります。
彼は、試験結果を見るのが___、なかなか封筒を開けられなかった。
「怖々と」は副詞で、「おそるおそる」という気持ちで行動に移せない様子を表します。
その古い屋敷は、誰もが___近づかない場所だった。
「怖々と」は副詞で、恐れを抱きながら、という意味で使われます。
彼女は新しい環境に慣れるまで、いつも___と行動していた。
文脈から、新しい環境で「おずおずと」「用心深く」行動するという意味が適切です。「堂々と」は自信に満ちて、「素早く」は速やかに、「熱心に」は熱意を持って、という意味で、文脈に合いません。
暗い夜道を一人で歩くとき、彼は___と周囲を見回した。
暗い夜道を一人で歩く状況では、恐怖や不安を感じ「おずおずと」周囲を確認する様子が自然です。「悠々と」はゆったりと、「大胆に」は恐れることなく、「軽快に」は軽やかに、という意味で、状況に合いません。
未知の領域に踏み出す際、私たちは___と一歩を踏み出した。
未知の領域への一歩は、通常、不安や警戒心を伴います。したがって、「おずおずと」「恐る恐る」という意味の「怖々と」が最も適切です。「積極的に」は前向きに、「無頓着に」は気にせずに、「自信満々に」は自信を持って、という意味で、未知の状況には合いにくいです。
「怖々と」は、自信に満ちた行動を表す際に使われる。
「怖々と」は「おずおずと」「用心深く」といった意味で、恐怖や不安、ためらいを伴う行動を表します。自信に満ちた行動とは正反対です。
上司に報告する際、彼女は___と事実を述べた。
上司に事実を報告する場面で「怖々と」使うのは不自然です。通常、事実を伝える際は率直さや明確さが求められ、「怖々と」はためらいや恐れを表すため適切ではありません。
初めての海外旅行で、彼は___と新しい食べ物を試した。
初めての海外旅行で未知の食べ物を試す際、不安や警戒心から「怖々と」試すことは自然な感情の表現です。この場合、「おずおずと」といったニュアンスが含まれます。
Imagine you are an explorer venturing into an ancient, dark cave. Describe your feelings and actions using 怖々と.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
暗い洞窟の奥へと進むにつれて、私は怖々と足を踏み入れた。未知の世界への不安と好奇心が入り混じり、心臓の音が大きく響いた。
Write a short paragraph about a child approaching a new, intimidating pet for the first time. Use 怖々と to describe their interaction.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
新しい大型犬に、子供は怖々と近づいた。小さな手でそっと犬の毛を撫でるが、いつでも逃げられるように身構えているようだった。
Describe a character in a suspenseful story who is investigating a strange noise in their house late at night. How do they move and feel? Use 怖々と.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
真夜中、家のどこからか聞こえる奇妙な物音に、彼は怖々と廊下を進んだ。心臓の鼓動が耳に響き、小さな物音にも敏感に反応してしまう。
この文脈で「怖々と」が最もよく表しているのはどのような状態ですか？
Read this passage:
彼女は新しい職場で、最初の一週間は怖々と仕事に取り組んでいた。周りの人々の視線や期待を感じ、失敗を恐れていたのだ。しかし、徐々に自信をつけ、そのうち自然に振る舞えるようになった。
この文脈で「怖々と」が最もよく表しているのはどのような状態ですか？
文中で「失敗を恐れていた」とあることから、「怖々と」は恐れや不安を感じながら慎重に行動する様子を表しています。
文中で「失敗を恐れていた」とあることから、「怖々と」は恐れや不安を感じながら慎重に行動する様子を表しています。
「怖々と進んでいった」という表現から、彼のどのような感情や状況が読み取れますか？
Read this passage:
山道は険しく、足元は滑りやすかった。彼は一歩一歩、怖々と進んでいった。もし足を踏み外せば、深い谷底へと転落するだろう。その危険を常に意識しながら、彼は頂上を目指した。
「怖々と進んでいった」という表現から、彼のどのような感情や状況が読み取れますか？
「足元は滑りやすかった」「深い谷底へと転落するだろう」といった記述から、危険を意識し、注意深く行動していることがわかります。
「足元は滑りやすかった」「深い谷底へと転落するだろう」といった記述から、危険を意識し、注意深く行動していることがわかります。
少女が「怖々と返事をするだけ」だったのは、なぜだと考えられますか？
Read this passage:
新しい学校に転校してきたばかりの少女は、クラスメイトの輪になかなか入れずにいた。休み時間も一人で本を読んでいることが多かった。声をかけられても、怖々と返事をするだけで、目を合わせようとしなかった。
少女が「怖々と返事をするだけ」だったのは、なぜだと考えられますか？
「新しい学校に転校してきたばかり」「クラスメイトの輪になかなか入れずにいた」という状況から、新しい環境への緊張や不安が読み取れます。
「新しい学校に転校してきたばかり」「クラスメイトの輪になかなか入れずにいた」という状況から、新しい環境への緊張や不安が読み取れます。
This sentence means 'He fearfully embarked on a new challenge.' The order follows a typical Japanese sentence structure: subject, adverb, object, verb phrase.
This translates to 'The child timidly went down to the dark basement.' The adverb '怖々と' describes how the child went down.
Meaning 'She heard the news with trepidation.' The adverb '怖々と' indicates her emotional state while hearing the news.
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Summary
怖々と describes acting with fear or trepidation, showing timidity.
- Describes fear or timidity
- Doing something cautiously
- Apprehensive manner
Basic Meaning of 怖々と
Understand that 怖々と (kowa kowa to) describes an action done with fear or timidity. It's an adverb, so it modifies verbs.
Visualizing 怖々と
Imagine someone walking slowly and cautiously, perhaps looking over their shoulder. That's the feeling 怖々と conveys. It's not just feeling fear, but acting on it.
Common Verb Pairings
You'll often see 怖々と used with verbs like 歩く (aruku - to walk), 見る (miru - to look), or 話す (hanasu - to speak) to show a fearful or timid manner. For example, 怖々と歩く (kowa kowa to aruku) means to walk fearfully.
Context is Key
The exact nuance can depend on the context. It can be a mild nervousness or a strong terror. Always look at the surrounding sentences to gauge the intensity of the fear.
Exemple
彼は暗い部屋に怖々と足を踏み入れた。
Contenu associé
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
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