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B1 verb #3,000 le plus courant 12 min de lecture

怖がる

To be scared; to be afraid of.

At the A1 level, learners are just beginning to understand basic emotions in Japanese. While 'kowagaru' (to be afraid of) is officially a B1 word, A1 learners first encounter its root: the adjective 'kowai' (scary/afraid). At this stage, it is enough to know that 'kowai' is used when YOU are scared, and 'kowagaru' is used when SOMEONE ELSE is scared. For example, if you see a monster, you say 'Kowai!' (I'm scared!). But if you see your friend crying because of the monster, you might hear a Japanese person say 'Kare wa kowagatte iru' (He is scared). The concept of changing a word because it's about someone else's feelings is a very important Japanese rule. A1 learners should focus on recognizing the word when listening to native speakers, especially parents talking to children ('Kowagaranai de' - Don't be scared). You don't need to master the conjugation yet, but understanding that 'garu' means 'showing signs of' will help you immensely as you progress. Just remember: 'Watashi wa kowai' (I am scared) vs 'Kare wa kowagaru' (He acts scared). This simple distinction is the foundation of Japanese empathy and perspective in grammar. Practice listening for it in anime or daily conversation when people react to scary things.
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At the A2 level, learners start building more complex sentences and need to describe the world around them, including the actions and feelings of others. Here, 'kowagaru' becomes a practical tool. You learn that it is a verb, not an adjective, which means it uses different particles. The most important rule to memorize at A2 is that 'kowagaru' takes the object particle 'wo' (を). You say 'Inu wo kowagaru' (afraid of dogs), not 'Inu ga kowagaru'. You also start using the continuous form 'kowagatte iru' because usually, when you describe someone's fear, it is happening right now. For example, 'Kodomo ga kaminari wo kowagatte imasu' (The child is afraid of the thunder). You should also practice the negative request form 'kowagaranai de kudasai' (please don't be afraid), which is very useful for comforting people or encouraging friends. At this level, focus on using 'kowagaru' for physical, everyday fears: bugs (mushi), the dark (kurayami), ghosts (obake), or animals (doubutsu). Avoid using it for yourself unless you are talking about a general habit. Mastering 'kowagaru' at A2 helps you transition from just talking about yourself to accurately describing the emotional states of your friends, family, and pets.
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The B1 level is where 'kowagaru' is officially introduced and fully mastered. At this intermediate stage, you must deeply understand the psychological and grammatical mechanics of the '~garu' suffix. It is not just about fear; it's about the Japanese cultural rule of objective observation. You cannot claim to know another person's inner mind, so you must describe their observable behavior. 'Kowagaru' means 'to show outward signs of fear.' You should be comfortable conjugating it as a standard Godan verb: kowagaranai, kowagarimasu, kowagatte, kowagatta. Furthermore, at B1, you expand the usage from physical fears (dogs, thunder) to abstract fears. You can say 'shippai wo kowagaru' (to fear failure) or 'henka wo kowagaru' (to fear change). You also learn the causative form 'kowagaraseru' (to scare someone), which is crucial for describing interactions, like 'Ani ga watashi wo kowagaraseta' (My brother scared me). You must strictly avoid the common mistake of using 'kowagaru' for your own immediate feelings. By B1, your use of 'kowagaru' should be natural, fluid, and culturally accurate, demonstrating your ability to navigate the subtle boundaries between self and other in Japanese communication.
At the B2 level, your use of 'kowagaru' becomes more nuanced and integrated into complex sentence structures. You are no longer just describing simple fears; you are discussing psychology, social trends, and professional situations. You might use it in passive structures or combined with other grammar points. For example, 'Kare wa shippai suru koto wo kowagaru amari, nani mo chousen dekinai' (He is so afraid of failing that he cannot challenge anything). You also start to distinguish 'kowagaru' clearly from its synonyms like 'osoreru' (to fear formally) and 'obieru' (to be terrified). You understand that 'kowagaru' has a slightly more visceral, sometimes almost childish or instinctual nuance compared to the intellectual 'osoreru'. In business contexts, you might hear 'Risuku wo kowagatte ite wa, seichou wa nai' (If we are afraid of risks, there is no growth). You also become adept at using it to describe yourself objectively in the past or as a personality trait: 'Mukashi wa yoku hito mae de hanasu no wo kowagatta mono da' (I used to be afraid of speaking in front of people). At B2, 'kowagaru' is a tool for deeper psychological description and social commentary.
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At the C1 advanced level, 'kowagaru' is used with high precision in both spoken and written Japanese, including literature and formal discourse. You recognize its role in character development in novels, where authors use '~garu' to maintain a specific narrative distance. You can seamlessly mix it with advanced adverbs and descriptive phrases to paint vivid emotional pictures: 'Kanojo wa, marude mienai te ni kubi wo shimerarete iru ka no you ni kowagatte ita' (She was frightened as if an invisible hand were strangling her). You also understand the subtle sociolinguistic implications of the word. Using 'kowagaru' to describe an adult's reaction can sometimes carry a slightly patronizing or endearing tone, depending on the context, because it highlights their observable vulnerability. You are fully capable of navigating the register differences between 'kowagaru', 'osoreru', 'kyoufu suru', and 'bibiru', choosing the exact right word for a news report, a casual chat, or an academic essay. You might also encounter it in idiomatic or less common compound forms. At this level, your understanding of the word is native-like, encompassing not just its definition, but its cultural weight and stylistic impact.
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At the C2 mastery level, your comprehension of 'kowagaru' involves a deep linguistic and etymological awareness. You understand the historical evolution of the adjective 'kowai' (originally meaning strong, stiff, or tough, before evolving to mean scary) and how the suffix '~garu' functions across the entire spectrum of Japanese emotion adjectives (samugaru, hoshigaru, itagaru). You can analyze how this grammatical structure reflects the fundamental Japanese philosophical distinction between 'uchi' (in-group/self) and 'soto' (out-group/other). You can engage in complex literary criticism, discussing why an author chose 'kowagaru' over 'obieru' to describe a protagonist's specific psychological break. You are also aware of regional dialects and how the expression of fear might vary across Japan. In highly advanced discourse, you can use 'kowagaru' metaphorically to describe the behavior of markets, nations, or institutions: 'Shijou wa infure no kashin wo kowagatte iru' (The market is showing signs of fearing the acceleration of inflation). At C2, 'kowagaru' is not just a vocabulary item, but a lens through which to analyze Japanese syntax, psychology, and societal behavior.
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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

怖がる en 30 secondes

  • Means 'to be afraid of' or 'to fear'.
  • Used for someone else's fear, not yours.
  • Takes the object particle 'wo' (を).
  • Often used as 'kowagatte iru' (is scared).
The Japanese verb 怖がる (kowagaru) is a fundamental vocabulary word that translates to 'to be afraid of,' 'to fear,' or 'to dread.' It is an essential term for anyone studying Japanese at the CEFR B1 level, as it introduces a critical grammatical and cultural concept: the distinction between first-person internal emotions and third-person observable emotions. The word is derived from the i-adjective 怖い (kowai), which means 'scary' or 'afraid.' By dropping the final 'i' and adding the suffix 'がる' (garu), the word transforms from a subjective adjective describing one's own internal state into an objective verb describing the observable feelings, behaviors, or reactions of someone else.
Grammar Point
Adjective stem + がる (garu) = To show signs of feeling [adjective].
This is a crucial grammatical concept in Japanese, as the language strictly distinguishes between what you feel inside and what you observe in others. When you say someone is 'kowagaru,' you are stating that they are showing outward signs of fear, such as trembling, crying, avoiding a situation, or explicitly stating their fear.

子供が犬を怖がる。

The child is afraid of the dog (showing signs of fear).
This verb is categorized as a Godan (Group 1) verb and is transitive, meaning it takes a direct object marked by the particle を (wo). For example, '犬を怖がる' (inu wo kowagaru) means 'to be afraid of dogs.' It is important to note that while 'kowai' can be used for oneself (e.g., 'I am scared'), 'kowagaru' is typically used for others (e.g., 'He is scared'), unless you are describing your own habitual or objective tendency to be afraid (e.g., 'I tend to be a coward about spiders').
First Person vs Third Person
First person: 私は犬が怖い (I am scared of dogs). Third person: 彼は犬を怖がっている (He is scared of dogs).
Understanding the psychological nuance of 'garu' is essential for mastering Japanese empathy and observation. The suffix implies that the emotion is not just felt internally but is leaking out into the physical world through body language, facial expressions, or actions. This makes 'kowagaru' a highly visual and dynamic verb.

失敗を怖がるな。

Don't be afraid of failure.
When a child hides behind their parent because of a loud noise, they are 'kowagatte iru' (currently showing signs of fear). When an adult hesitates to take on a new project due to a fear of failure, they are 'shippai wo kowagatte iru.' The verb captures both instinctual, visceral fear and more abstract, intellectual dread. It is a versatile word that bridges the gap between physical reaction and psychological state. In literature and storytelling, 'kowagaru' is often used to build tension and show character vulnerability. It allows the narrator to describe a character's emotional state without needing to be inside their head. This objective framing is a hallmark of Japanese narrative style. Furthermore, the verb can be modified by various adverbs to indicate the intensity of the fear, such as 'hijou ni kowagaru' (to be extremely afraid) or 'sukoshi kowagaru' (to be slightly afraid).

彼女は雷をひどく怖がる。

She is terribly afraid of thunder.
It can also be used in negative forms, such as 'kowagaranai' (to not be afraid), which is often used as an imperative or encouragement, as in 'kowagaranai de' (don't be afraid).
Encouragement
怖がらないで (Kowagaranai de) is a common phrase used to comfort someone, meaning 'Don't be scared.'
Overall, 'kowagaru' is more than just a vocabulary word; it is a window into how the Japanese language conceptualizes and expresses emotion, emphasizing the boundary between self and other, and the observable nature of human feelings.

暗闇を怖がる子供が多い。

Many children are afraid of the dark.

新しいことに挑戦するのを怖がる。

To be afraid of trying new things.
Mastering this word will significantly improve your ability to describe interpersonal dynamics and emotional reactions in Japanese.
Using 怖がる (kowagaru) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical properties and the specific contexts in which it is appropriate. As a transitive Godan verb, it follows standard conjugation patterns but carries unique syntactic rules regarding particles.
Particle Usage
Unlike 怖い (kowai) which takes が (ga), 怖がる (kowagaru) takes を (wo) to mark the object of fear.
This is a frequent point of confusion for learners. When you say 'I am scared of ghosts,' you use the adjective: 私はお化けが怖い (Watashi wa obake ga kowai). However, when describing someone else's fear, you use the verb with the object particle: 彼はお化けを怖がる (Kare wa obake wo kowagaru).

妹は虫を怖がる。

My little sister is afraid of bugs.
The most common form you will encounter in daily conversation is the continuous form, 怖がっている (kowagatte iru). This form is used because fear is typically an ongoing state or a current reaction rather than a momentary action. For example, if you see a cat hiding under a sofa during a thunderstorm, you would say, 猫が雷を怖がっている (Neko ga kaminari wo kowagatte iru). The plain form 怖がる is often used for general statements or habitual behaviors, such as 'Children fear the dark' (子供は暗闇を怖がる).

彼はいつも注射を怖がる。

He is always afraid of injections.
Another crucial usage is in the negative imperative form, 怖がらないで (kowagaranai de), which translates to 'Don't be afraid.' This is a gentle, encouraging phrase used by parents to children, doctors to patients, or friends to friends.
Conjugation Basics
Negative: 怖がらない (kowagaranai). Polite: 怖がります (kowagarimasu). Te-form: 怖がって (kowagatte). Past: 怖がった (kowagatta).
You can also use it in the causative form, 怖がらせる (kowagaraseru), which means 'to make someone afraid' or 'to frighten someone.' This is highly useful when talking about horror movies, haunted houses, or intimidating behavior.

兄はいつも私を怖がらせる。

My older brother always scares me.
In formal contexts, you might hear the polite form 怖がります (kowagarimasu) or 怖がっております (kowagatte orimasu). However, because describing someone else's emotions can sometimes be seen as presumptuous in highly formal Japanese, it is often softened with expressions like 怖がっているようです (kowagatte iru you desu - it seems they are afraid).

お客様が犬を怖がっているようです。

It seems the customer is afraid of the dog.
Furthermore, 怖がる can be combined with other verbs to create compound expressions. For instance, 怖がって逃げる (kowagatte nigeru) means 'to run away in fear.'
Compound Usage
Using the te-form to connect actions: 怖がって泣く (to cry out of fear), 怖がって隠れる (to hide out of fear).
Understanding these various forms and contexts will allow you to use 怖がる with precision and natural fluency, accurately conveying the nuances of fear and apprehension in Japanese society.

そんなに怖がることはないよ。

There's nothing to be that scared of.
Practice recognizing the difference between the adjective and the verb to master this essential B1 level vocabulary.
The verb 怖がる (kowagaru) is ubiquitous in Japanese daily life, media, and literature, reflecting its fundamental role in expressing human emotion. You will hear it in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from casual family interactions to professional environments and entertainment.
Family and Childcare
Parents frequently use this word when discussing their children's fears, such as fear of the dark, loud noises, or strangers.
In households with young children or pets, 怖がる is a daily vocabulary word. A mother might tell a doctor, 'この子は注射をとても怖がります' (Kono ko wa chuusha wo totemo kowagarimasu - This child is very afraid of injections).

うちの犬は掃除機を怖がる。

Our dog is afraid of the vacuum cleaner.
Similarly, pet owners use it to describe their animals' reactions to fireworks, thunder, or other animals. Beyond the domestic sphere, 怖がる is frequently heard in educational and professional settings, often in a more abstract sense. Teachers might encourage students by saying, '間違いを怖がらないで発言してください' (Machigai wo kowagaranai de hatsugen shite kudasai - Please speak up without being afraid of making mistakes).

失敗を怖がってはいけない。

You must not be afraid of failure.
In business, managers might discuss a team's hesitation to adopt new technologies: '新しいシステムを怖がっている社員が多い' (Atarashii shisutemu wo kowagatte iru shain ga ooi - Many employees are afraid of the new system).
Media and Entertainment
Horror movies, anime, and variety shows heavily rely on this word to describe characters' or participants' reactions.
In Japanese pop culture, particularly in anime and manga, characters' emotional states are explicitly described. You will often hear a brave character tell a timid one, '何をそんなに怖がっているんだ？' (Nani wo sonna ni kowagatte irun da? - What are you so afraid of?).

彼女はお化け屋敷を極端に怖がる。

She is extremely afraid of haunted houses.
Japanese variety shows, which often feature 'dokkiri' (pranks) or haunted house explorations, frequently use the causative form 怖がらせる (kowagaraseru - to scare) and the continuous form 怖がっている (kowagatte iru - is scared) in their narration and on-screen text. Furthermore, in news reports or documentaries, the word might be used to describe public sentiment, such as '市民はウイルスの感染を怖がっている' (Shimin wa uirusu no kansen wo kowagatte iru - Citizens are afraid of virus infection).

変化を怖がる社会。

A society that fears change.
Literature
Novelists use 怖がる to provide objective descriptions of characters' psychological states, maintaining the traditional Japanese narrative distance.
By paying attention to these diverse contexts, learners can grasp the full spectrum of 怖がる, from its literal application to physical threats to its metaphorical use regarding social and psychological anxieties.

彼は真実を知ることを怖がった。

He was afraid of knowing the truth.
It is a word that truly permeates every level of Japanese communication.
When learning the verb 怖がる (kowagaru), students frequently encounter a few specific pitfalls, primarily stemming from the differences between Japanese and English emotional expression. The most prominent mistake is using 怖がる to describe one's own immediate feelings.
First-Person Error
Incorrect: 私はお化けを怖がっている。 Correct: 私はお化けが怖い。
In English, 'I am scared' and 'He is scared' use the same adjective. In Japanese, stating your own current emotion requires the adjective 怖い (kowai). Using 怖がる for yourself sounds unnatural because it implies you are objectively observing your own outward signs of fear, as if looking at yourself in a mirror.

❌ 私は犬を怖がります。

Incorrect usage for first-person immediate emotion.

⭕ 私は犬が怖いです。

Correct usage using the adjective.
Another frequent error involves particle usage. Because learners associate fear with the adjective 怖い, which takes the subject particle が (ga), they mistakenly use が with the verb 怖がる.
Particle Confusion
Incorrect: 彼は犬が怖がる。 Correct: 彼は犬を怖がる。
怖がる is a transitive verb. The thing being feared is the direct object of the action of 'showing fear,' and therefore must be marked with を (wo).

❌ 子供が雷が怖がっている。

Incorrect particle.

⭕ 子供が雷を怖がっている。

Correct particle usage.
A third common mistake is failing to use the continuous form 怖がっている (kowagatte iru) when describing a current state. Learners often say 彼はお化けを怖がる (Kare wa obake wo kowagaru) when they mean 'He is scared of the ghost right now.' While grammatically correct, the plain form implies a general truth or habit ('He generally fears ghosts'). To describe someone who is currently frightened by something in front of them, the continuous form is required.
Tense and Aspect
Use 怖がる for habits. Use 怖がっている for current states.
Finally, learners sometimes confuse 怖がる with 恐れる (osoreru). While both mean 'to fear,' 怖がる is more visceral, physical, and often used for everyday fears (bugs, dark, heights) or observable emotional reactions. 恐れる is more formal, abstract, and intellectual (fearing death, fearing economic collapse, fearing God). Using 怖がる in a highly formal or academic context can sound childish or overly casual.

❌ 経済の崩壊を怖がる。

Sounds too casual for a serious economic topic.
By mastering these distinctions—first vs. third person, correct particle usage, continuous aspect, and register—learners can avoid the most common pitfalls associated with this essential Japanese verb and communicate with much greater naturalness and accuracy.
The Japanese language has a rich vocabulary for expressing fear, and while 怖がる (kowagaru) is one of the most common, it is important to understand how it relates to and differs from similar words. The most immediate comparison is with the adjective 怖い (kowai). As discussed, 怖い is subjective ('I am scared' or 'It is scary'), while 怖がる is objective ('He is showing signs of being scared').
恐れる (Osoreru)
To fear, to be afraid of, to dread (formal, abstract).
恐れる (osoreru) is perhaps the closest synonym to 怖がる, but it carries a different nuance and register. 恐れる is more formal, literary, and often used for abstract, profound, or existential fears. You would use 恐れる for fearing God, fearing a financial crisis, or fearing death. 怖がる is more visceral, physical, and immediate, used for bugs, ghosts, or loud noises.

死を恐れる。

To fear death (formal/abstract).

クモを怖がる。

To be afraid of spiders (visceral/immediate).
Another related word is 怯える (obieru), which translates to 'to be frightened,' 'to be terrified,' or 'to cower.' 怯える emphasizes the physical reaction of shrinking away, trembling, or being paralyzed by fear. It is stronger than 怖がる and implies a state of helplessness or trauma.
怯える (Obieru)
To be terrified, to cower in fear.

虐待された犬は人に怯えている。

The abused dog is terrified of people.
In casual slang, you might hear ビビる (bibiru), which means 'to get cold feet,' 'to be spooked,' or 'to chicken out.' ビビる is highly colloquial and often used playfully among friends. It focuses on the sudden shock or the loss of nerve rather than a sustained state of fear.
ビビる (Bibiru)
To get spooked, to chicken out (slang).

ちょっとビビっただけだよ。

I just got a little spooked, that's all.
Finally, there is the noun-verb compound 恐怖する (kyoufu suru), meaning 'to feel terror.' This is highly dramatic and formal, often found in literature or serious reporting. It denotes an overwhelming, paralyzing fear.

大自然の力に恐怖する。

To feel terror at the power of nature.
Understanding these synonyms allows you to calibrate your expression of fear precisely. 怖がる remains the standard, versatile choice for describing observable fear in everyday situations, sitting comfortably between the slangy ビビる and the formal 恐れる. Mastering its position within this web of synonyms is key to achieving natural Japanese fluency.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

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Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

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Exemples par niveau

1

こどもが いぬを こわがる。

The child is afraid of the dog.

Uses basic present tense. Note the particle を (wo).

2

こわがらないで。

Don't be afraid.

Negative te-form used as a gentle command/request.

3

かれは おばけを こわがります。

He is afraid of ghosts.

Polite form (masu form) of the verb.

4

ねこが おとを こわがっている。

The cat is afraid of the sound.

Continuous form (~te iru) showing current state.

5

むしを こわがる？

Are you afraid of bugs? (Asking about someone else's habit)

Casual question with rising intonation.

6

いもうとは くるまを こわがった。

My little sister was afraid of the car.

Past tense plain form.

7

こわがる な！

Don't be scared! (Strong)

Verb dictionary form + na for strong negative command.

8

みんな こわがっている。

Everyone is scared.

Using 'minna' (everyone) as the subject.

1

私の弟は、暗い部屋をとても怖がります。

My younger brother is very afraid of dark rooms.

Adding adjectives (暗い) and adverbs (とても).

2

大きな音を聞いて、赤ちゃんが怖がって泣きました。

Hearing a loud noise, the baby got scared and cried.

Using te-form to connect actions (怖がって泣く).

3

犬は花火の音を怖がっているようです。

The dog seems to be afraid of the sound of fireworks.

Using ~you desu (seems like) for observation.

4

失敗を怖がらないで、やってみてください。

Please try doing it without being afraid of failure.

Using ~nai de (without doing) + request.

5

彼女はいつも注射を怖がる。

She is always afraid of injections.

Using 'itsumo' (always) to show habitual behavior.

6

そんなに怖がることはありませんよ。

There is no need to be that afraid.

Using ~koto wa arimasen (there is no need to).

7

昔はよく犬を怖がったものです。

I used to be afraid of dogs a lot in the past.

Using 'mukashi' and 'mono da' to express past habits.

8

兄が急に大きな声を出して、私を怖がらせた。

My older brother suddenly shouted and scared me.

Introduction of the causative form (怖がらせる).

1

新しいことに挑戦するのを怖がっていては、成長できません。

If you are afraid of trying new things, you cannot grow.

Using ~te ite wa (if you keep doing...) for conditional negative outcome.

2

彼は人に嫌われることを極端に怖がっている。

He is extremely afraid of being disliked by others.

Using nominalization (koto) as the object of fear.

3

子供を不必要に怖がらせるような話はしないでください。

Please don't tell stories that unnecessarily frighten the children.

Causative form modifying a noun (怖がらせるような話).

4

地震の揺れが大きくて、ペットの猫がひどく怖がっていた。

The earthquake shaking was big, and my pet cat was terribly frightened.

Describing a past continuous state with adverbs.

5

間違いを怖がらずに、どんどん日本語を話しましょう。

Let's speak Japanese more and more without fearing mistakes.

Using the formal negative ~zu ni (without doing).

6

あの政治家は、世論の反発を怖がって決断を先送りした。

That politician postponed the decision, fearing the backlash of public opinion.

Using te-form to show reason/cause.

7

自分が傷つくのを怖がるあまり、彼は他者との関わりを避けている。

He avoids interacting with others because he is so afraid of getting hurt.

Using ~amari (so much that / out of extreme...).

8

お化け屋敷に入ったが、彼女は全く怖がる素振りを見せなかった。

We entered the haunted house, but she didn't show any sign of being afraid at all.

Using 'soburi' (sign/behavior) with the verb.

1

変化を怖がる企業体質が、イノベーションを阻害している。

The corporate culture that fears change is hindering innovation.

Verb modifying a complex noun phrase (企業体質).

2

彼は孤独を怖がるがゆえに、望まない人間関係にしがみついている。

Because he fears loneliness, he clings to unwanted relationships.

Using ~ga yue ni (because of / due to).

3

未知のウイルスに対する情報不足が、人々を必要以上に怖がらせた。

The lack of information about the unknown virus frightened people more than necessary.

Causative form used with abstract subjects (lack of information).

4

批判されることを怖がっていては、リーダーとしての責務は果たせない。

If you are afraid of being criticized, you cannot fulfill your duties as a leader.

Passive verb nominalized as the object of fear (批判されること).

5

その映画は、視覚的な恐怖よりも心理的に観客を怖がらせる手法をとっている。

That movie uses techniques to frighten the audience psychologically rather than through visual horror.

Contrasting adverbs (視覚的に vs 心理的に).

6

親が過剰に失敗を怖がると、子供の自主性が育たない。

If parents are excessively afraid of failure, the child's independence will not develop.

Conditional 'to' used for general truths.

7

彼女は自分の才能が枯渇することを、心の底で怖がっているようだった。

She seemed to be afraid from the bottom of her heart that her talent would dry up.

Using deep psychological descriptions (心の底で).

8

AIの進化を単に怖がるのではなく、どう活用するかを議論すべきだ。

Instead of simply fearing the evolution of AI, we should discuss how to utilize it.

Using ~no de wa naku (instead of doing...).

1

大衆は常に未知なるものを怖がり、既知の不幸に安住しようとする傾向がある。

The masses always tend to fear the unknown and settle for known misfortunes.

Literary style, using 'michinaru mono' (the unknown).

2

自己のアイデンティティが揺らぐことを怖がるあまり、彼は極端な思想に傾倒していった。

Out of extreme fear that his identity would be shaken, he leaned towards radical ideologies.

Complex psychological state described with ~amari.

3

権力者は、民衆が連帯し反旗を翻すことを何よりも怖がっているのだ。

Those in power fear more than anything that the people will unite and rebel.

Using 'nani yori mo' (more than anything) for emphasis.

4

その作家は、人間の内面に潜む狂気を、読者をじわじわと怖がらせる筆致で描き出した。

The author depicted the madness lurking inside humans with a writing style that slowly frightens the reader.

Advanced vocabulary (筆致, 潜む) combined with causative.

5

市場はインフレの再燃を過度に怖がり、株価は一時的に急落した。

The market excessively feared the reignition of inflation, and stock prices temporarily plummeted.

Metaphorical use of the verb for non-human entities (the market).

6

彼は死そのものよりも、死に至る過程の苦痛を怖がっていたように見受けられる。

It appears he was afraid of the pain of the process leading to death, rather than death itself.

Formal observation using 'miukerareru'.

7

異文化との摩擦を怖がって鎖国的な態度をとれば、国際社会から孤立するだけだ。

If we take a closed-country attitude out of fear of friction with different cultures, we will only be isolated from the international community.

Socio-political context using te-form for reason.

8

真実と向き合うことを怖がる精神の脆弱さが、この悲劇を生んだと言えよう。

It can be said that the fragility of a mind afraid to face the truth caused this tragedy.

Using the verb to modify an abstract noun phrase (精神の脆弱さ).

1

人間が根源的に抱える孤独を直視するのを怖がるがゆえの、浅薄な連帯感に過ぎない。

It is nothing more than a shallow sense of solidarity, born of a fear of facing the fundamental loneliness that humans harbor.

Highly philosophical structure using ~ga yue no.

2

体制側は、些細な不満が燎原の火のごとく広がることを怖がり、徹底的な言論統制を敷いた。

The establishment, fearing that trivial dissatisfaction would spread like wildfire, imposed thorough speech control.

Use of classical idioms (燎原の火のごとく).

3

自己矛盾を突かれることを怖がる彼の弁明は、終始一貫性を欠き、詭弁に満ちていた。

His defense, afraid of having his self-contradictions pointed out, lacked consistency throughout and was full of sophistry.

Advanced vocabulary (詭弁, 終始一貫性) and passive object of fear.

4

テクノロジーの暴走を無闇に怖がるディストピア的想像力は、時に科学の健全な発展の足枷となる。

Dystopian imagination that blindly fears the rampage of technology sometimes becomes a shackle on the healthy development of science.

Academic/critical tone using 'muyami ni' (blindly/recklessly).

5

彼は、自らの才能の限界を悟ることを何よりも怖がり、決して大作に挑もうとはしなかった。

Fearing more than anything the realization of the limits of his own talent, he never attempted to tackle a masterpiece.

Deep psychological insight using 'satoru' (to realize/comprehend).

6

既得権益層は、社会構造の抜本的な変革を伴うその法案をひどく怖がり、骨抜き工作に奔走した。

The vested interest groups were terribly afraid of the bill, which entailed a radical transformation of the social structure, and scrambled to water it down.

Political jargon (既得権益層, 骨抜き工作).

7

死の影に怯えるというよりは、生きた証が歴史の忘却の彼方に消え去ることを彼は怖がったのだ。

Rather than being terrified by the shadow of death, he feared that the proof of his existence would vanish into the oblivion of history.

Contrasting 'obieru' and 'kowagaru' for nuanced psychological distinction.

8

未知の病原体に対する大衆のパニックは、実態以上にリスクを怖がる人間の認知バイアスに起因している。

The public panic over the unknown pathogen stems from a human cognitive bias that fears risks more than the actual reality.

Scientific/psychological analysis using 'ninchi baiasu' (cognitive bias).

Collocations courantes

犬を怖がる
失敗を怖がる
変化を怖がる
極端に怖がる
ひどく怖がる
少し怖がる
暗闇を怖がる
注射を怖がる
死を怖がる
間違いを怖がる

Phrases Courantes

怖がらないで

怖がっている

怖がることはない

怖がらせる

怖がって逃げる

怖がって泣く

何を怖がっているの

極度に怖がる

異常に怖がる

少しも怖がらない

Souvent confondu avec

怖がる vs 怖い (kowai)

怖がる vs 恐れる (osoreru)

怖がる vs 怯える (obieru)

Expressions idiomatiques

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Facile à confondre

怖がる vs

怖がる vs

怖がる vs

怖がる vs

怖がる vs

Structures de phrases

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Comment l'utiliser

note 1

The suffix ~garu can be attached to many emotion adjectives: hoshii -> hoshigaru (to show desire), itai -> itagaru (to show pain).

note 2

The noun form 怖がり (kowagari) means a timid person or a coward.

Erreurs courantes
  • Using 怖がる for 'I am scared' (Should be 怖い).
  • Using the particle が instead of を (Should be 犬を怖がる).
  • Using the plain form 怖がる for a current reaction instead of 怖がっている.
  • Confusing it with 恐れる in highly formal contexts.
  • Forgetting to drop the 'i' from 'kowai' before adding 'garu' (Writing kowaigaru instead of kowagaru).

Astuces

Particle Rule

Always remember: 怖い takes が, 怖がる takes を. This is the most common test question. Memorize 'Inu ga kowai' vs 'Inu wo kowagaru'. This will save you points on the JLPT.

Current State

When looking at someone who is scared right now, use 怖がっている. Don't use the dictionary form. The dictionary form sounds like a general fact, not a current observation.

The '~garu' Mindset

Understanding '~garu' helps you understand Japanese culture. It shows respect for the fact that you cannot read minds. You only describe what you see. Apply this to other adjectives too!

Noun Form

Learn the noun 怖がり (kowagari). It's very useful for describing personality. If your friend hates horror movies, you can tease them by saying 'Kowagari da ne!' (You're such a scaredy-cat!).

Anime Reactions

Watch anime and listen for 怖がらせる (kowagaraseru). Villains or pranksters use this a lot. It means 'to scare'. Hearing it in context will cement the causative form in your mind.

Comforting Others

Practice saying 怖がらないで (Kowagaranai de). It's a very empathetic phrase. Use a soft, falling intonation to sound reassuring.

Abstract Fears

To sound more advanced, use 怖がる with abstract nouns. 失敗 (shippai - failure) or 変化 (henka - change) are great collocations. 'Henka wo kowagaru' sounds very professional.

Osoreru vs Kowagaru

If you are writing a serious essay about politics or economics, switch to 恐れる (osoreru). Keep 怖がる for personal, psychological, or physical fears.

Godan Verb

Treat it exactly like 走る (hashiru) or わかる (wakaru). It's a Group 1 verb. Don't let the adjective root confuse your conjugation rules.

Objective Distance

Using 怖がる creates a slight emotional distance because you are observing. This is why it's perfect for storytelling or describing a situation calmly.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine a CO-Worker (kowa) who is a GULL (garu) acting very scared of a dog. The seagull is showing obvious signs of fear.

Origine du mot

Derived from the adjective 怖い (kowai) meaning 'strong/stiff/scary' + the suffix がる (garu) which turns adjectives into verbs indicating the outward display of that feeling.

Contexte culturel

Describing an adult as 'kowagatte iru' can sometimes sound slightly patronizing if not used carefully, as it highlights their vulnerability.

Standard/Neutral. Can be used in polite form (怖がります).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"子供の頃、何を一番怖がっていましたか？ (What were you most afraid of as a child?)"

"あなたのペットは何かを怖がりますか？ (Is your pet afraid of anything?)"

"失敗を怖がらないためにはどうすればいいと思いますか？ (What do you think we should do to not be afraid of failure?)"

"最近のニュースで、人々が一番怖がっていることは何でしょうか？ (What are people most afraid of in the recent news?)"

"お化け屋敷を怖がるタイプですか？ (Are you the type to be scared of haunted houses?)"

Sujets d'écriture

Write about a time you had to tell someone 'kowagaranai de' (don't be afraid).

Describe what your pet or a friend's pet is afraid of using 'kowagatte iru'.

Reflect on why people fear change (変化を怖がる).

Write a short story about a child who is afraid of the dark.

Explain the difference between 'kowai' and 'kowagaru' in your own words.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, this is generally incorrect. For your own feelings, you must use the adjective: 'Watashi wa inu ga kowai'. 'Kowagaru' is for third persons. The only exception is if you are looking at yourself objectively, like 'I have a habit of being afraid of dogs', but this is advanced usage. Stick to 'kowai' for yourself.

Because adding '~garu' turns the adjective into a transitive verb. Transitive verbs take direct objects. The person is 'doing' the action of showing fear towards the object. Therefore, the object of fear takes 'wo'.

'Kowagaru' is for visceral, everyday fears and observable reactions (bugs, loud noises). 'Osoreru' is more formal and intellectual, used for abstract fears (death, economic collapse, God). 'Kowagaru' is B1 level, while 'osoreru' is often B2/C1.

The most common and natural way is 'Kowagaranai de'. This uses the negative te-form of the verb. It is a gentle command or request used to comfort someone.

If you are describing someone who is scared right now, yes. 'Kowagatte iru' means they are currently in the state of showing fear. 'Kowagaru' plain form is usually for general facts or habits, like 'Cats fear water'.

Yes, absolutely. It is very commonly used for pets. Because you cannot know an animal's internal mind, you must describe their observable behavior, making 'kowagaru' the perfect word.

This is the causative form of the verb. It means 'to make someone afraid' or 'to scare someone'. For example, 'He scared me' would be 'Kare wa watashi wo kowagaraseta'.

Yes. 'Kowagari' is the noun form. It means a person who gets scared easily, a coward, or a timid person. You can say 'Kare wa kowagari da' (He is a scaredy-cat).

Yes, but usually in a more abstract sense. For example, 'Shippai wo kowagaranai de kudasai' (Please don't be afraid of failure). For highly formal documents, 'osoreru' might be preferred.

It is a standard Godan verb ending in 'ru'. The past tense is 'kowagatta'. The past continuous is 'kowagatte ita'.

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