When you want to express that someone is scared or afraid of something, you can use the verb 무서워하다. This verb literally means "to fear" or "to be scared."
You often use it when talking about people or animals experiencing fear. For example, if a child is scared of the dark, you would say the child 무서워해요 (is scared).
It's a useful word for describing reactions to things like scary movies, loud noises, or even certain animals.
§ Understanding 무서워하다
Alright, let's break down 무서워하다. This verb means 'to be scared' or 'to be frightened by something.' It's pretty straightforward, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind to use it correctly. Think of it as expressing an internal feeling of fear towards an external stimulus.
§ Basic Sentence Structure
The basic structure for using 무서워하다 is usually:
- **Subject + Object (that causes fear) + 를/을 + 무서워하다**
The object particle 를/을 is used because you are 'fearing' or 'being scared of' something. It acts like a direct object.
저는 귀신을 무서워해요.
- Translation Hint
- I am scared of ghosts.
아이가 강아지를 무서워했어요.
- Translation Hint
- The child was scared of the puppy.
§ Expressing Fear for Others
One of the cool things about 무서워하다 is that it often implies you are talking about someone else's fear, or a more general fear. When talking about *your own* fear, you might often use 무섭다 (which is an adjective 'to be scary/frightening'). However, 무서워하다 can definitely be used for yourself, especially when emphasizing the *act* of being scared.
저 고양이는 사람을 무서워하지 않아요.
- Translation Hint
- That cat is not scared of people.
많은 학생들이 시험을 무서워해요.
- Translation Hint
- Many students are scared of exams.
§ Common Mistakes and Tips
The biggest pitfall for learners is confusing 무서워하다 with 무섭다. Remember:
- **무서워하다** **(verb)**: The subject *is scared of* something. It's an action, an internal feeling being expressed.
- **무섭다** **(adjective)**: Something *is scary* or *is frightening*. It describes the quality of the object causing fear.
You can also use 무서워하다 in negative forms to say someone is *not* scared of something:
그는 아무것도 무서워하지 않아요.
- Translation Hint
- He isn't scared of anything.
Pay attention to the particle. 를/을 is your go-to here.
レベル別の例文
저는 개를 무서워해요.
I am scared of dogs.
동생은 귀신을 무서워해요.
My younger sibling is scared of ghosts.
저는 높은 곳을 무서워해요.
I am scared of high places.
아이는 어둠을 무서워해요.
The child is scared of the dark.
저는 혼자 있는 것을 무서워해요.
I am scared of being alone.
거미를 무서워하는 사람이 많아요.
Many people are scared of spiders.
저는 큰 소리를 무서워하지 않아요.
I am not scared of loud noises.
그 영화는 너무 무서워서 눈을 감았어요.
That movie was so scary that I closed my eyes.
自分をテスト 6 問
Choose the most natural way to say 'I'm scared of ghosts.'
'무서워하다' means 'to be scared of something,' and the object you're scared of takes the object particle '을/를'.
Which sentence correctly uses '무서워하다'?
When using '무서워하다', the object of fear is marked with the object particle '을/를'.
What is the opposite meaning of '무서워하다'?
'무서워하다' means to be scared, so its opposite would be to be brave or not scared.
'무서워하다' is typically used when someone else is experiencing fear.
'무서워하다' is generally used to describe someone else's fear or a third person's fear. When talking about your own fear, you would more commonly use '무섭다'.
You can say '나는 무서워해요' to mean 'I am scared.'
While grammatically possible, it's more natural to say '나는 무서워요' (using the adjective '무섭다') when expressing your own fear. '무서워하다' implies someone else's action of being scared.
The sentence '그는 높은 곳을 무서워해요' means 'He is scared of high places.'
This sentence correctly uses '무서워하다' with the object particle '을/를' to express that 'he' (a third person) is scared of high places.
/ 6 correct
Perfect score!
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この単語を他の言語で
emotionsの関連語
받아들이다
A2To accept, to embrace, to take in.
아파하다
A2To feel pain or sorrow.
감탄스럽다
A2To be admirable or wonderful; to inspire awe.
감탄
A2Admiration or marvel; a feeling of wonder.
감탄하다
A2To admire or to marvel; to express wonder.
기특하다
B1Admirable for a good deed or thought; commendable.
충고
B1Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action; advice.
애정
B1Affection; a gentle feeling of fondness or liking.
애틋하다
B2To be tender, fond, or wistful.
살갑다
B2To be warm, friendly, affectionate.
