脅迫 in 30 Seconds
- A serious threat or act of intimidation.
- Often involves a legal or criminal context.
- Distinct from extortion (which demands money).
- Used as a noun or a 'suru' verb.
The Japanese word 脅迫 (kyōhaku) is a powerful noun and suru-verb that translates to 'threat,' 'intimidation,' or 'coercion.' It refers to the act of making someone feel fear of harm to their person, property, or reputation in order to force them into a specific action or to restrict their freedom. In both everyday language and legal terminology, it carries a heavy, serious weight.
- Kanji Breakdown: 脅 (kyō)
- This kanji means 'to threaten' or 'to coerce.' It is composed of the radicals for 'flesh/body' and 'strength/power,' symbolizing the use of physical or psychological power to overpower someone.
彼は被害者を脅迫して金銭を奪った。
Understanding the nuance of this word requires looking at its legal implications. In Japanese law, 'kyōhaku' is a specific criminal offense (脅迫罪 - crime of intimidation). It is distinct from extortion (恐喝 - kyōkatsu), which specifically involves threatening someone for financial gain. 脅迫 can be for any purpose, such as forcing someone to sign a document, stay silent, or perform an act against their will.
- Legal vs. Casual Use
- While strictly a legal term, it is often used in news reports, crime dramas, and serious discussions about harassment. It is rarely used in lighthearted contexts.
それは明らかな脅迫だ。
The psychological impact of 脅迫 is significant. It implies a severe imbalance of power and a malicious intent to cause distress. Words like 脅し (odoshi) can sometimes be used more casually (like a bluff or a minor threat), but 脅迫 always implies a severe, often actionable, level of intimidation.
- Common Compounds
- Words like 脅迫状 (kyōhakujō - threatening letter) and 脅迫電話 (kyōhakudenwa - threatening phone call) are frequently heard in news broadcasts.
会社に脅迫状が届いた。
In summary, 脅迫 is a crucial vocabulary word for understanding Japanese news, legal discussions, and societal issues regarding harassment and crime. It encapsulates the dark side of human interaction where fear is used as a tool for control.
ネット上での脅迫行為が問題になっている。
証人を脅迫することは重罪です。
Using 脅迫 (kyōhaku) correctly involves understanding its grammatical function and the specific contexts in which it is appropriate. As a verbal noun (noun + suru), it can act as both the subject/object of a sentence and as the action itself. The most common structure is '[Person A] ga [Person B] wo kyōhaku suru' (Person A threatens Person B).
- As a Noun
- When used purely as a noun, it often modifies other nouns or is the subject of verbs related to receiving, sending, or experiencing threats.
脅迫に屈しない。
One of the most critical aspects of using this word is pairing it with the right verbs. You don't 'make' a kyōhaku; you 'do' it (suru), 'receive' it (ukeru), or 'yield' to it (kussuru). This is a common stumbling block for learners translating directly from English.
- Passive Voice
- Because threats are often discussed from the victim's perspective, the passive form '脅迫される' (kyōhaku sareru - to be threatened) is extremely common.
彼は辞任するように脅迫された。
Furthermore, 脅迫 is frequently used as a prefix to create compound nouns. This is highly productive in Japanese. For example, adding 状 (jō - letter/document) creates 脅迫状 (threatening letter). Adding 罪 (zai - crime) creates 脅迫罪 (the crime of intimidation).
- Abstract Threats
- It can also be used metaphorically, though less commonly, to describe abstract things that threaten one's peace of mind, though 'kyōi' (脅威) is usually better for non-human threats.
無言の脅迫を感じた。
When speaking formally or writing, using 脅迫 adds a layer of gravity. It is not a word to be used lightly. If a friend says they will eat your dessert if you don't hurry, you would not use 脅迫; you would use 脅し (odoshi) playfully. 脅迫 is reserved for situations involving genuine malice, fear, or legal boundaries being crossed.
強盗はナイフで店員を脅迫した。
これは単なる嫌がらせではなく、立派な脅迫です。
The word 脅迫 (kyōhaku) is predominantly encountered in formal, journalistic, and legal contexts in Japan. Because it denotes a specific criminal act, it is a staple of news broadcasts, newspaper articles, and police reports. If you watch Japanese television, particularly the evening news or crime documentaries, you will hear this word frequently.
- News and Media
- News anchors use it when reporting on arrests, extortion rings, cyberbullying, and corporate blackmail.
容疑者は脅迫の疑いで逮捕されました。
Beyond the news, 脅迫 is a favorite vocabulary word in Japanese pop culture, specifically in mystery novels, detective anime (like Detective Conan), and legal dramas. In these fictional settings, the plot often revolves around a 脅迫状 (threatening letter) constructed from magazine clippings, or a mysterious 脅迫電話 (threatening phone call) that sets the story in motion.
- Workplace and Harassment
- In modern corporate Japan, discussions around 'power harassment' (pawahara) sometimes escalate to the level of 脅迫 if a boss threatens a subordinate's livelihood or safety.
上司からの言葉は脅迫に等しい。
You will also hear it in discussions regarding internet safety and cybercrime. With the rise of social media, online threats have become a significant issue. Terms like ネットでの脅迫 (netto de no kyōhaku - online threats) are commonly discussed in educational seminars and legal advice columns aimed at protecting citizens from digital harassment.
- Everyday Conversation
- In daily life, it is rare to use this word unless recounting a serious incident or discussing the news. Using it to describe a minor disagreement sounds overly dramatic.
彼に脅迫されていると警察に相談した。
Understanding where and when this word is used helps learners grasp its severity. It is a 'heavy' word. When a Japanese speaker uses 脅迫, they are signaling that a line has been crossed from mere anger or disagreement into the realm of fear, coercion, and potential illegality.
政治家に対する脅迫が相次いでいる。
そのメールは脅迫の証拠となる。
When learning the word 脅迫 (kyōhaku), students often make mistakes related to its nuance, its legal definition, and its confusion with similar-sounding or similar-meaning words. The most prevalent error is using it in situations that are too casual. Because English speakers might say 'He threatened to eat my lunch' jokingly, they might translate 'threatened' directly to 脅迫した, which sounds bizarre and overly dramatic in Japanese.
- Mistake 1: Casual Use
- Using 脅迫 for minor, non-serious threats. Instead, use 脅かす (obiyakasu/odorokasu) or 脅し (odoshi) for lighter contexts.
❌ 友達がケーキを食べると脅迫した。
⭕ 友達がケーキを食べると脅した。
Another major point of confusion is the difference between 脅迫 (kyōhaku) and 恐喝 (kyōkatsu). While both involve threats, 恐喝 specifically means extortion or blackmail—threatening someone *in order to get money or property*. 脅迫 is the broader term for intimidation for any reason (e.g., forcing someone to quit a job, or just causing fear). Using 脅迫 when money is the primary motive is not strictly wrong, but 恐喝 is the precise legal and journalistic term.
- Mistake 2: Confusing with 脅威 (kyōi)
- 脅威 means 'a threat' in the sense of a menace or danger (like a hurricane or a disease). 脅迫 is the *act* of a person threatening another person.
❌ 台風の脅迫が迫っている。
⭕ 台風の脅威が迫っている。
Grammatically, learners sometimes struggle with the particles used with 脅迫. When you threaten someone *with* something, you use the particle で (de). When you threaten someone *to do* something, it often requires a quoting particle like と (to) or ように (yō ni) combined with the action.
- Mistake 3: Pronunciation
- Mispronouncing the long vowels. It is kyōhaku, not kyohaku. The 'o' in kyo must be elongated.
彼は私を殺すと脅迫した。
By understanding these distinctions, learners can elevate their Japanese from basic communication to precise, context-appropriate expression, avoiding awkward or unintentionally severe statements.
暴力団による脅迫事件が発生した。
言葉による脅迫も犯罪になり得ます。
The Japanese language has a rich vocabulary for expressing fear, danger, and coercion. Understanding the synonyms and related terms to 脅迫 (kyōhaku) helps in grasping the exact nuance required for a given situation. While 脅迫 is the standard term for severe, often illegal intimidation, several other words occupy similar semantic space.
- 1. 恐喝 (Kyōkatsu) - Extortion / Blackmail
- As mentioned previously, this is the closest legal cousin to 脅迫. The key difference is the motive: 恐喝 is intimidation specifically aimed at extorting money or property. If a blackmailer demands a million yen to keep a secret, that is 恐喝.
彼は脅迫ではなく恐喝で逮捕された。
Another highly relevant term is 威嚇 (ikaku). This translates to 'menace' or 'intimidation,' but it is often used in the context of a show of force or a warning display, rather than a specific verbal threat. For example, an animal baring its teeth, or a military firing warning shots, is engaging in 威嚇.
- 2. 脅し (Odoshi) - A threat / Bluff
- This is the noun form of the verb 脅す (odosu). It is much more common in everyday conversation than 脅迫. It can range from a serious threat to a mere bluff or a parent's warning to a misbehaving child.
ただの脅迫（脅し）だ、気にするな。
We also have 脅威 (kyōi), meaning 'threat' or 'menace' in a broader, non-personal sense. You would use 脅威 to describe the threat of nuclear war, climate change, or a new virus. It describes a state of danger rather than an action performed by an individual against another.
- 3. 強要 (Kyōyō) - Coercion / Forcing
- This word focuses on the aspect of forcing someone to do something against their will. While 脅迫 is the *method* (using fear), 強要 is the *result* or the act of forcing. They often overlap in usage.
自白を脅迫（強要）された。
By mapping out these similar words, learners can build a precise mental dictionary. 脅迫 remains the anchor for direct, malicious, and often illegal personal intimidation, serving as a crucial term for navigating serious Japanese discourse.
威嚇射撃は脅迫の意図があった。
彼の言葉は単なる脅しではなく、本気の脅迫だった。
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Passive Voice (〜される): Crucial for describing being the victim of a threat (脅迫される).
Quotation Particle (〜と): Used to state what the threat was (殺すと脅迫する - threaten to kill).
Causative-Passive (〜させられる): Forced to do something due to threats (脅迫によって辞任させられた).
Noun Modification (〜の): 脅迫のメール (threatening email).
Volitional Form + とする: Attempting to threaten (脅迫しようとした).
Examples by Level
これは脅迫です。
This is a threat.
Noun + desu (is).
彼を脅迫する。
I will threaten him.
Object + wo + verb.
脅迫はだめです。
Threatening is bad.
Noun + wa + dame desu.
脅迫状を見ました。
I saw the threatening letter.
Compound noun + wo + verb (past).
脅迫されました。
I was threatened.
Passive verb (polite past).
それは脅迫ですか？
Is that a threat?
Question particle 'ka'.
脅迫が怖い。
Threats are scary.
Noun + ga + adjective.
脅迫をやめて。
Stop the threats.
Verb 'yamete' (stop).
男はナイフで女性を脅迫した。
The man threatened the woman with a knife.
Particle 'de' for tool/means.
警察に脅迫されていると話しました。
I told the police that I am being threatened.
Quotation particle 'to'.
脅迫のメールが毎日届きます。
Threatening emails arrive every day.
Noun + no + noun.
彼はお金を払わないと脅迫してきた。
He threatened me, saying he wouldn't pay.
Verb 'te kuru' indicating action directed at speaker.
脅迫罪で逮捕されるかもしれません。
You might be arrested for the crime of intimidation.
'Kamoshiremasen' (might).
絶対に脅迫には負けません。
I will absolutely not lose to threats.
Particle 'ni' for target of losing.
その言葉は脅迫に聞こえます。
Those words sound like a threat.
Verb 'kikoeru' (to sound like).
誰があなたを脅迫したのですか？
Who threatened you?
Question word 'dare' (who).
ネット上での匿名による脅迫が増加している。
Anonymous threats on the internet are increasing.
'Niyoru' (due to/by).
被害者は長期間にわたり脅迫を受けていた。
The victim had been receiving threats for a long period.
'Ni watari' (over a period of).
脅迫状には、家族に危害を加えると書かれていた。
The threatening letter said that harm would come to the family.
Passive 'kakarete ita' (was written).
彼は証言を撤回するように脅迫された。
He was threatened to retract his testimony.
'Yō ni' (in order to/to do).
単なる冗談のつもりでも、相手が恐怖を感じれば脅迫になり得る。
Even if intended as a mere joke, it can become a threat if the other person feels fear.
'Ni nari uru' (can become).
会社は不当な脅迫に対して法的措置をとる構えだ。
The company is prepared to take legal action against unreasonable threats.
'Ni taishite' (against/towards).
彼女は元恋人からの脅迫電話に悩まされている。
She is troubled by threatening phone calls from her ex-boyfriend.
Passive 'nayamasarete iru' (is being troubled by).
暴力団が店長を脅迫し、みかじめ料を要求した。
The gang threatened the store manager and demanded protection money.
Conjunction 'shi' (and).
刑法第222条において、脅迫罪の構成要件が定められている。
The constituent elements of the crime of intimidation are defined in Article 222 of the Penal Code.
Formal 'ni oite' (in/at).
被告は、原告の社会的信用を失墜させると脅迫した事実を認めた。
The defendant admitted to the fact that they threatened to ruin the plaintiff's social credibility.
Causative 'shittsui saseru' (cause to fall/ruin).
サイバー空間における脅迫行為は、証拠が残りやすいため摘発が容易になりつつある。
Intimidating acts in cyberspace are becoming easier to expose because evidence tends to remain.
'Tsutsu aru' (is becoming/in the process of).
その発言は、文脈によっては脅迫と受け取られかねない。
Depending on the context, that statement could be taken as a threat.
'Kanenai' (might/could happen - negative connotation).
彼は暗に辞職を迫るという、陰湿な脅迫を行った。
He carried out an insidious threat by implicitly pressing for resignation.
'To iu' (called/that is).
労働組合に対する経営側の態度は、不当労働行為であり脅迫に等しい。
The management's attitude towards the labor union is an unfair labor practice and is tantamount to intimidation.
'Ni hitoshii' (equivalent to).
脅迫の意図がなかったとしても、客観的に見て相手を畏怖させるに足りる言動であれば罪は成立する。
Even if there was no intent to threaten, the crime is established if the words and actions are objectively sufficient to cause fear in the other party.
'Ni tariru' (sufficient to).
国家間の外交において、経済制裁は時として一種の脅迫として機能する。
In diplomacy between nations, economic sanctions sometimes function as a kind of threat.
'Toshite' (as).
言論の自由を盾に取った悪質な脅迫が、民主主義の根幹を揺るがしている。
Vicious threats hiding behind the shield of free speech are shaking the foundations of democracy.
Idiom 'tate ni toru' (use as a shield).
当該文書の文言は、直接的な加害予告を含まないものの、全体として強烈な脅迫性を帯びている。
Although the wording of the document does not contain a direct notice of harm, it carries a strong threatening nature as a whole.
'Wo obite iru' (carries/is tinged with).
検察側は、被告の行為が単なる威嚇の域を超え、明確な脅迫罪に該当すると主張した。
The prosecution argued that the defendant's actions went beyond mere menace and clearly fell under the crime of intimidation.
'No iki wo koe' (beyond the realm of).
権力者による無言の脅迫は、明文化された規則よりもはるかに強い拘束力を持つことがある。
Silent intimidation by those in power can sometimes have a much stronger binding force than codified rules.
'Yori mo haruka ni' (much more than).
彼は巧妙なレトリックを駆使し、法に触れないギリギリの線で相手を脅迫した。
He used clever rhetoric to threaten his opponent right on the borderline of not breaking the law.
'Girigiri no sen de' (on the borderline).
国際社会は、核兵器による威嚇や脅迫を断じて容認してはならない。
The international community must absolutely not tolerate menace or intimidation using nuclear weapons.
'Danjite ~te wa naranai' (must absolutely not).
ストーカー行為の多くは、被害者の心理を支配しようとする執拗な脅迫から始まる。
Many stalking behaviors begin with persistent threats aimed at controlling the victim's psychology.
'Shiyō to suru' (attempting to).
メディアの報道が、結果的に被疑者に対する社会的な脅迫として機能してしまう危険性を孕んでいる。
There is a danger that media reporting may ultimately function as societal intimidation against the suspect.
'Kikensei wo harande iru' (fraught with danger).
刑法学における脅迫の定義は、一般用語としてのそれとは厳密に区別され、害悪の告知の程度が厳格に問われる。
The definition of intimidation in criminal law is strictly distinguished from its use as a general term, and the degree of the notification of harm is rigorously questioned.
'Sore' referring back to 'definition'.
その企業は、環境団体からの事実上の脅迫に屈する形で、長年進めてきた開発計画の白紙撤回を余儀なくされた。
The company was forced to completely scrap its long-running development plan, effectively yielding to de facto threats from environmental groups.
'Yoginaku sareta' (was forced to).
歴史を紐解けば、大国による小国への恫喝や脅迫が、数々の悲惨な戦争の引き金となってきたことは明白である。
Unraveling history, it is clear that bluster and intimidation by major powers against smaller nations have triggered numerous disastrous wars.
'Himo tokeba' (if one unravels/examines).
SNS上での集団的なバッシングは、個々の発言は微力であっても、集合体としては人の命を奪いかねない凶悪な脅迫へと変貌する。
Collective bashing on SNS, even if individual comments are weak, transforms into a vicious threat as an aggregate that can take a person's life.
'De atte mo' (even if).
彼は自らの地位を誇示することで、部下に対して暗黙の裡に服従を強いるという、極めて洗練された脅迫を行っていた。
By flaunting his position, he engaged in highly sophisticated intimidation, implicitly forcing his subordinates into submission.
'Anmoku no uchi ni' (implicitly/tacitly).
司法取引の過程において、検察が不当な量刑をちらつかせることは、被疑者の防御権を侵害する脅迫的手段と批判され得る。
In the process of plea bargaining, prosecutors hinting at unreasonable sentences can be criticized as an intimidating tactic that infringes on the suspect's right to defense.
'Chiratsukaseru' (to hint at/dangle).
テロリズムの本質は、無差別な暴力による社会全体への脅迫であり、政治的目的を達成するための恐怖の蔓延に他ならない。
The essence of terrorism is the intimidation of society as a whole through indiscriminate violence, and it is nothing less than the spread of fear to achieve political goals.
'Ni hoka naranai' (is nothing but).
契約交渉において、優越的地位の濫用とも取れる相手方の態度は、商道徳を逸脱した一種の脅迫行為と断じざるを得ない。
In contract negotiations, the other party's attitude, which could be taken as an abuse of a superior position, must be condemned as a kind of intimidating act that deviates from business ethics.
'Zaru wo enai' (cannot help but/must).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Implies a severe, often illegal level of intimidation. Not a light word.
High. Primarily used in written Japanese, news, and formal speech.
脅し (odoshi), ビビらせる (bibiraseru - to scare).
- Using 脅迫 for inanimate objects or weather (e.g., 'The storm threatened the coast'). Use 脅威 (kyōi) instead.
- Confusing 脅迫 (intimidation) with 恐喝 (extortion). Remember, kyōkatsu involves demanding money.
- Using it in casual, joking contexts. It sounds unnatural and overly dramatic. Use 脅し (odoshi) for lighter threats.
- Mispronouncing it as 'kyohaku' (short 'o'). It must be 'kyōhaku' (long 'o').
- Using the wrong particle for the weapon/means. It should be 'ナイフで' (with a knife), not 'ナイフを'.
Tips
Master the Passive Voice
Because threats are usually reported by the victim, the passive form 脅迫される (kyōhaku sareru) is statistically very common. Practice conjugating suru-verbs into the passive. Remember to use 'ni' for the person doing the threatening. E.g., 犯人に脅迫された (Threatened by the criminal).
Learn the Compounds
Japanese loves compound nouns. Learn 脅迫 (threat) + 状 (letter) = 脅迫状. 脅迫 + 電話 (phone) = 脅迫電話. 脅迫 + 罪 (crime) = 脅迫罪. Knowing these combinations will instantly boost your reading comprehension for news articles.
Money vs. No Money
Always remember the golden rule: if the threat is for money, it's 恐喝 (kyōkatsu). If it's just to cause fear or force an action without financial gain, it's 脅迫 (kyōhaku). This distinction is vital for advanced learners and JLPT N1 tests.
Flat Pitch Accent
脅迫 has a 'heiban' (flat) pitch accent. This means you start low on 'kyo', go high on the second half of the long 'o', and stay high for 'ha' and 'ku'. Do not drop the pitch at the end. Practice saying it smoothly without emphasizing any single syllable.
Don't Overuse It
Avoid translating the English 'threaten' directly to 脅迫 in casual situations. If clouds 'threaten' rain, or a friend 'threatens' to tickle you, do not use this word. Reserve it for serious, malicious intent.
News Broadcasts
To get a feel for how this word is used, watch Japanese news clips on YouTube about arrests. Listen for the phrase 'kyōhaku no utagai de taiho' (arrested on suspicion of intimidation). It is a set phrase used by journalists.
Mystery Novels
If you enjoy reading, Japanese mystery novels (suiri shōsetsu) are full of this vocabulary. Look for works by Keigo Higashino or Miyuki Miyabe. You will encounter 脅迫状 and 脅迫電話 repeatedly, providing excellent context.
Formal Emails
If you ever need to report severe harassment to HR or the police in Japan, using the word 脅迫 clearly communicates the severity of the situation. It shows you understand the legal boundaries have been crossed.
The Weight of Words
In Japan, verbal threats are taken extremely seriously by the police. Even hinting at violence online can lead to a 脅迫罪 charge. Understanding this cultural strictness helps explain why the word carries such heavy weight.
Kanji Radicals
Look at the kanji 脅. The bottom part is 'flesh/body' (月 - roukanmuri variant) and the right is 'power' (力). Using physical power over someone's body to cause fear. 迫 means to press or urge. Pressing someone with fear.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a KYOto HACKer (kyōhaku) THREATENING to delete all your files unless you pay them.
Word Origin
The combination of 'threaten' (脅) and 'press/urge' (迫) perfectly encapsulates the meaning of forcing someone into a corner through fear.
Cultural Context
Unlike in some cultures where bluster is common, verbal threats in Japan are quickly reported to the police and often result in arrests.
Japanese news frequently uses the phrase 'kyōhaku no utagai de taiho' (arrested on suspicion of intimidation) to maintain objective reporting before a conviction.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"最近、ネットでの脅迫事件のニュースをよく見ますね。(I see a lot of news about online threat incidents lately, don't you?)"
"脅迫と恐喝の違いって何ですか？ (What is the difference between intimidation and extortion?)"
"もし脅迫状が届いたら、どうしますか？ (What would you do if you received a threatening letter?)"
"職場でのパワーハラスメントが脅迫になる境界線はどこだと思いますか？ (Where do you think the line is where workplace power harassment becomes intimidation?)"
"匿名での脅迫はもっと厳しく罰せられるべきだと思いますか？ (Do you think anonymous threats should be punished more severely?)"
Journal Prompts
Write a short summary of a fictional mystery story involving a 脅迫状 (threatening letter).
Discuss your opinion on how social media platforms should handle users who engage in 脅迫.
Describe a time you felt intimidated (not necessarily a legal threat, but use the word metaphorically or explain the difference).
Explain the difference between 脅迫 (kyōhaku) and 恐喝 (kyōkatsu) in your own words.
Write a dialogue where a character reports a 脅迫 to the police.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, that would sound very strange and overly dramatic. 脅迫 implies a serious, often criminal intent to cause harm. For a joking threat, use 脅し (odoshi) or just say 'kowai' (scary) jokingly. Using 脅迫 makes it sound like you need to call the police. It is a heavy, legal term.
This is a very common question. 脅迫 (kyōhaku) is the general act of intimidation or threatening someone. 恐喝 (kyōkatsu) is specifically extortion or blackmail—threatening someone *in order to get money or property*. If someone threatens to hit you if you don't leave, that's 脅迫. If they threaten to hit you if you don't give them your wallet, that's 恐喝.
It is a 'verbal noun' (often called a suru-verb). This means it can function as a regular noun (e.g., 脅迫が怖い - threats are scary) or it can become a verb by adding 'suru' (e.g., 彼を脅迫する - to threaten him). This makes it very versatile in sentence construction.
You use the passive form of the suru-verb. 'I was threatened' is 脅迫された (kyōhaku sareta) in casual speech, or 脅迫されました (kyōhaku saremashita) in polite speech. If you want to specify who threatened you, use the particle 'ni' (e.g., 彼に脅迫された - I was threatened by him).
脅迫状 (kyōhakujō) means 'threatening letter.' The suffix 状 (jō) means a letter, document, or written communication (like in 招待状 - invitation letter). You will hear this word often in Japanese mystery novels or detective anime like Detective Conan.
Generally, no. 脅迫 implies a deliberate act by a person (or group of people) with malicious intent. For non-human threats like a storm, disease, or economic crisis, you should use the word 脅威 (kyōi), which means a menace or danger.
'Power harassment' (パワハラ - pawahara) is workplace bullying by a superior. While much of it is verbal abuse, if a boss explicitly threatens an employee's physical safety or unjustly threatens their livelihood to force them to do something illegal, it crosses the line from general harassment into the legal territory of 脅迫 (intimidation).
It is pronounced 'kyōhaku'. The 'o' sound in 'kyo' is elongated. It is crucial to hold that sound for two beats (morae). If you say 'kyohaku' quickly, it sounds unnatural. Think of it as kyo-o-ha-ku.
Use the particle で (de), which indicates the tool or means of an action. For example, 'ナイフで脅迫する' (naifu de kyōhaku suru) means 'to threaten with a knife.' '言葉で脅迫する' (kotoba de kyōhaku suru) means 'to threaten with words.'
Not in normal, peaceful daily life. It is a common word in the *news*, in legal discussions, and in fiction (movies, books). If you are using it to describe your own daily life, it means something very serious and potentially dangerous is happening to you.
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Summary
脅迫 (kyōhaku) is a heavy, formal word for a serious threat or intimidation, often carrying legal consequences. It should not be used for lighthearted or minor warnings.
- A serious threat or act of intimidation.
- Often involves a legal or criminal context.
- Distinct from extortion (which demands money).
- Used as a noun or a 'suru' verb.
Master the Passive Voice
Because threats are usually reported by the victim, the passive form 脅迫される (kyōhaku sareru) is statistically very common. Practice conjugating suru-verbs into the passive. Remember to use 'ni' for the person doing the threatening. E.g., 犯人に脅迫された (Threatened by the criminal).
Learn the Compounds
Japanese loves compound nouns. Learn 脅迫 (threat) + 状 (letter) = 脅迫状. 脅迫 + 電話 (phone) = 脅迫電話. 脅迫 + 罪 (crime) = 脅迫罪. Knowing these combinations will instantly boost your reading comprehension for news articles.
Money vs. No Money
Always remember the golden rule: if the threat is for money, it's 恐喝 (kyōkatsu). If it's just to cause fear or force an action without financial gain, it's 脅迫 (kyōhaku). This distinction is vital for advanced learners and JLPT N1 tests.
Flat Pitch Accent
脅迫 has a 'heiban' (flat) pitch accent. This means you start low on 'kyo', go high on the second half of the long 'o', and stay high for 'ha' and 'ku'. Do not drop the pitch at the end. Practice saying it smoothly without emphasizing any single syllable.
Example
脅迫を受けました。
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