B1 adjective Neutral 2 min read

恐ろしい

osoroshii /o.ro.ɕiː/
Practice it Notes & Tips

Overview

The Japanese adjective '恐ろしい' (osoroshii) is a versatile word with a range of meanings that generally convey a sense of fear, dread, or intense negativity, but can also, somewhat paradoxically, express a strong degree of something positive or overwhelming.

At its core, '恐ろしい' is used to describe things that inspire fear or terror. This can be in a very direct sense, like a scary monster ('恐ろしい怪物' - osoroshii kaibutsu) or a dreadful incident ('恐ろしい事件' - osoroshii jiken). It can also be used to describe things that are so bad or unpleasant that they cause a sense of dread, such as a terrible future ('恐ろしい未来' - osoroshii mirai) or an awful disease ('恐ろしい病気' - osoroshii byouki).

The nuance of '恐ろしい' often extends beyond mere fear to include a sense of gravity, seriousness, or overwhelmingness. For example, a '恐ろしい速さ' (osoroshii hayasa) means an incredibly fast speed, almost to the point of being frighteningly quick. Similarly, '恐ろしいほど美しい' (osoroshii hodo utsukushii) can describe something that is so beautiful it's almost overwhelming or breathtaking. In these contexts, '恐ろしい' emphasizes the extreme degree of the quality being described, often with an underlying sense of awe or even slight apprehension due to its intensity.

It's important to note the difference in intensity and usage compared to similar adjectives. While '怖い' (kowai) also means 'scary' or 'frightening,' '恐ろしい' often carries a stronger, more profound sense of dread or awe, and can sometimes imply a more abstract or psychological fear. '恐ろしい' can also be used in more formal or literary contexts than '怖い.'

When using '恐ろしい,' consider the context carefully. Is it a literal fear? Is it a dread of something negative? Or is it being used to emphasize an extreme degree of a quality, whether positive or negative? Understanding these nuances will help you use '恐ろしい' effectively in your Japanese communication.

Examples

1

地震は本当に恐ろしい経験でした。

natural disaster

The earthquake was a truly frightful experience.

2

彼女の顔は怒りで恐ろしかった。

human emotion

Her face was dreadful with anger.

3

そのニュースは恐ろしいものだった。

news/information

The news was terrible.

4

恐ろしいほどの集中力で彼は仕事をした。

work/effort

He worked with terrible (intense) concentration.

5

夜の森は恐ろしいほど静かだった。

nature/atmosphere

The forest at night was terribly (frighteningly) quiet.

Common Collocations

恐ろしい事件
恐ろしい光景
恐ろしい速さ
恐ろしいほど

Often Confused With

恐ろしい vs 恐ろしい

There are multiple Japanese words that share the same kanji but have different readings and meanings. The most common one that may cause confusion is 'おぞましい' (ozomashii), which also means dreadful or disgusting, but carries a stronger nuance of revulsion and horror.

Grammar Patterns

恐ろしい + Noun (e.g., 恐ろしい事件 - a dreadful incident) ～て恐ろしい (e.g., 怖くて恐ろしい - scary and dreadful) 恐ろしく + Adverb (e.g., 恐ろしく速い - dreadfully fast)

How to Use It

When using "恐ろしい" (osoroshii), it's important to understand that it signifies a heightened level of fear, dread, or terribleness. It's stronger than simply 'scary' (怖い - kowai) and often implies a sense of gravity or profound impact. It can describe something that is physically threatening, like a 'terrible storm' (恐ろしい嵐 - osoroshii arashi), or something that is emotionally or psychologically distressing, such as 'frightful news' (恐ろしいニュース - osoroshii nyuusu). It can also be used to emphasize the extreme nature of something, even in a hyperbolic sense, like 'terribly delicious' (恐ろしいほど美味しい - osoroshii hodo oishii), though this usage is less common and adds a touch of dramatic flair. Be mindful of its intensity; using it in trivial contexts might sound overblown. Consider the context and the degree of negative emotion you wish to convey when choosing "恐ろしい" over milder alternatives.

Common Mistakes

Some learners might confuse 'osoroshii' (恐ろしい) with 'kowai' (怖い). While both mean 'scary' or 'frightening', 'osoroshii' often implies a more intense, dreadful, or even awe-inspiring kind of fear, sometimes with a sense of danger or solemnity. 'Kowai' is more generally used for things that simply make you feel afraid. For instance, a ghost might be 'kowai', but a natural disaster or a powerful, respected entity could be described as 'osoroshii'.

Tips

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Usage

'恐ろしい' (osoroshii) is an i-adjective that expresses fear, dread, or terribleness. It can be used to describe things that cause fear, such as a scary dream, a frightening experience, or a terrible situation. It can also describe things that are extreme or intense, like a tremendous amount or a severe condition.

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Nuance

While '恐ろしい' often conveys fear, it can also express awe or wonder in certain contexts, particularly when encountering something overwhelmingly powerful or magnificent, though this usage is less common than expressing negative fear.

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Related Words

* 怖い (kowai): scary, afraid (more common for personal fear) * 恐ろしいことに (osoroshii koto ni): terribly, dreadfully (adverbial phrase) * 恐怖 (kyōfu): terror, fear (noun)

Word Origin

From Old Japanese. Ultimately from a compound of the verb 恐る (osu, “to fear, to be afraid, to be fearful”) and the honorific suffix -し (-shi), thus literally meaning “is fearful, is to be feared”. The osu verb is from a stem osu- found in compounds and derivation, from earlier wo-s. The 恐る (osu) verb is cognate with 畏る (okochiru, “to fear, to be in awe of, to revere”). Also cognate with 慎む (tsutsushimu, “to be careful, to be cautious, to be prudent”).

Cultural Context

The word "恐ろしい" (osoroshii) in Japanese carries a strong sense of fear, dread, and awe, often associated with things that are truly terrifying or awe-inspiring in a negative way. It can describe a wide range of intense negative emotions and situations. In Japanese culture, there's a strong emphasis on acknowledging and respecting things that evoke such strong feelings, whether it's a natural disaster, a formidable entity, or a profoundly shocking event. This reverence for the powerful and potentially destructive aspects of life is reflected in the language, where "恐ろしい" isn't just a simple synonym for 'scary' but conveys a deeper, more visceral reaction. It can also be used to express profound amazement or surprise, especially when something is overwhelmingly impressive, though the underlying nuance of potential danger or immense power often remains.

Memory Tip

Visualize something truly terrifying, like a monstrous creature or a dark, desolate place, and associate that image with the sound of 'osoroshii'.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

'恐ろしい' (osoroshii) is a Japanese adjective that primarily means 'frightful,' 'dreadful,' or 'terrible.' It conveys a strong sense of fear, awe, or alarm. It can be used to describe things that are genuinely scary, like a ghost story or a natural disaster, or it can be used to describe something that is shockingly bad or unpleasant, such as a terrible mistake or an awful situation. The nuance often depends on the context in which it is used. For example, '恐ろしい夢' (osoroshii yume) means 'a dreadful dream,' and '恐ろしい光景' (osoroshii kōkei) means 'a terrible sight.' It can also sometimes imply something being awe-inspiring or overwhelmingly powerful in a way that evokes fear or respect.

'恐ろしい' is an i-adjective, so it can directly precede a noun or end a sentence. When it precedes a noun, it modifies the noun, such as in '恐ろしい出来事' (osoroshii dekigoto), meaning 'a dreadful incident.' When it ends a sentence, it often takes the polite form '恐ろしいです' (osoroshii desu) or the plain form '恐ろしい.' For example, 'その話は本当に恐ろしいです' (sono hanashi wa hontō ni osoroshii desu) translates to 'That story is truly dreadful.' It can also be used with adverbs to intensify its meaning, like '非常に恐ろしい' (hijō ni osoroshii) which means 'extremely dreadful.' The word can describe a wide range of situations, from something truly terrifying to something merely very unpleasant.

Yes, '恐ろしい' appears in several common expressions. For instance, '恐ろしいことに' (osoroshii koto ni) means 'dreadfully' or 'terribly' and is used to introduce a shocking or unpleasant fact, similar to 'to my horror.' Another common phrase is '恐ろしいほど' (osoroshii hodo), meaning 'to a dreadful extent' or 'frightfully,' which can emphasize the degree of something. For example, '恐ろしいほど速い' (osoroshii hodo hayai) means 'frightfully fast.' You might also hear it in expressions like '恐ろしい顔' (osoroshii kao) for 'a terrifying face' or '恐ろしい声' (osoroshii koe) for 'a terrifying voice.' These phrases highlight its versatility in conveying a sense of fear or extreme negative impact.

While '恐ろしい' (osoroshii) and '怖い' (kowai) both mean 'scary' or 'frightening,' '恐ろしい' often carries a stronger, more profound sense of dread, terror, or even awe, sometimes hinting at something supernatural or deeply unsettling. '怖い' is a more general term for 'scary' and can be used for everyday fears, like being scared of insects or a jump scare in a movie. 'ひどい' (hidoi) means 'terrible,' 'awful,' or 'cruel.' While it can describe something bad, it typically refers to quality, behavior, or condition rather than inducing fear directly. So, a 'ひどい映画' (hidoi eiga) is a 'terrible movie' in terms of quality, but an '恐ろしい映画' (osoroshii eiga) would be a 'dreadful/terrifying movie' because it induces fear. '恐ろしい' focuses more on the emotional impact of fear, while 'ひどい' focuses on the negative attributes of something.

Test Yourself

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暗い森の中、何かが動く音に___。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
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その映画は本当に___夢を見させるほどでした。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
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___出来事が起こった後、村人たちは誰も外に出ませんでした。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Score: /3

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