怯えた
The word '怯えた' describes someone or something that is feeling scared or frightened.
Explanation at your level:
Hello! '怯えた' is a word that means you feel scared. Imagine you see a big, loud dog, and you feel a little scared. That feeling is '怯えた'. It's like when you are shy to talk to someone new. It's a feeling of being not brave for a moment. You can say 'I am 怯えた' when you feel this way. It's a simple feeling of being afraid.
The word '怯えた' is an adjective that describes someone who is feeling frightened or timid. It's often used when someone has just experienced something scary or surprising. For example, if a loud noise suddenly happens, you might feel '怯えた'. It means you are feeling a bit scared or nervous in that moment. It's like when a small animal sees a bigger animal and hides – it looks '怯えた'.
'怯えた' is an adjective used to describe a state of being frightened or timid. It implies that the person or animal has reacted with fear to something. You might use it to describe someone who looks scared after witnessing an event, or an animal that is shy around strangers. For instance, '怯えた様子' (obie-ta yōsu) means a 'frightened appearance'. It's a common way to express a reaction of fear or apprehension.
'怯えた' signifies a state of being scared, frightened, or timid, typically as a direct response to a perceived threat or unsettling situation. It's more than just mild nervousness; it suggests a noticeable level of fear or apprehension. You might describe a person's '怯えた目' (obie-ta me) – 'frightened eyes' – to convey their emotional state. It can also imply a degree of vulnerability or being easily startled.
The adjective '怯えた' denotes a condition of being overcome by fear, timidity, or apprehension. It suggests a palpable sense of fright, often manifesting physically or behaviorally. This term can be used to describe individuals who exhibit clear signs of being unnerved, such as trembling, wide eyes, or a hesitant demeanor. It implies a reaction to a stimulus that has induced a state of alarm or nervousness, moving beyond simple anxiety into a more pronounced state of fear.
'怯えた' conveys a profound state of being frightened, timid, or unnerved, often implying a reactive fear triggered by external stimuli or internal anxieties. It suggests a vulnerability and a visible manifestation of fear, such as a quivering voice or a startled posture. The term can be employed in literary contexts to evoke a strong sense of pathos or to underscore the psychological impact of a frightening experience. It implies a loss of composure due to fear, highlighting the subject's susceptibility to being overwhelmed by alarming circumstances.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes a state of being scared, frightened, or timid.
- Often used as a reaction to something sudden or threatening.
- Commonly modifies nouns like 'eyes', 'voice', or 'expression'.
- Derived from the verb 怯える (obie-ru - to be afraid).
Hey there! Let's dive into the word 怯えた (obie-ta). It's an adjective that paints a picture of someone who's feeling a bit shaky, scared, or timid. Think about a little bunny that suddenly freezes when it hears a rustle in the bushes – that bunny is '怯えた'. It's not just about being super terrified, though; it can also mean being shy or a little nervous in a new situation.
This word is super useful for describing emotional states. You might feel '怯えた' if you have to give a presentation in front of a lot of people, or if you suddenly encounter something unexpected. It captures that moment of being taken aback by fear or uncertainty. So, next time you want to express that you or someone else is feeling scared or a bit shy, '怯えた' is a great word to reach for!
The word '怯えた' comes from the verb 怯える (obie-ru), which means 'to be afraid' or 'to tremble with fear'. The '-ta' ending turns it into the past tense form, which in Japanese grammar often functions as an adjective describing a state. So, '怯えた' literally means 'having become afraid' or 'being in a state of fear'.
The kanji 怯 itself carries the meaning of 'fear' or 'timidity'. Its components hint at a person (the radical on the left) being affected by something related to the right side, which can be interpreted in various ways but ultimately conveys a sense of being overwhelmed or startled. Japanese, like many languages, has a rich vocabulary for emotions, and '怯えた' is a nuanced way to describe the feeling of being frightened or unnerved, often implying a reaction to a specific event or stimulus.
You'll often hear '怯えた' used to describe the state of someone or something that has just experienced fear. For instance, you might see a sentence like '怯えた子供' (obie-ta kodomo), meaning a 'frightened child'. It's a very direct way to convey that fear is present.
It's important to note that '怯えた' usually describes a temporary state. It's the result of something that happened. You wouldn't typically say someone *is* '怯えた' as a permanent personality trait, unless you mean they are chronically timid. Instead, you'd use it to describe their reaction in a specific moment. Think of it as the adjective form of 'became scared'. You can also use it for animals, like '怯えた猫' (obie-ta neko), a 'scared cat'.
While '怯えた' itself is a straightforward adjective, the concept of fear is woven into many Japanese expressions. Here are a few related ideas:
- 肝を冷やす (kimo o hiyasu): Literally 'to cool the liver', this idiom means to be greatly frightened or chilled with fear. Example: 突然のサイレンに肝を冷やした (Totsuzen no sairen ni kimo o hiyashita) - 'The sudden siren chilled me with fear.'
- 腰を抜かす (koshi o nukasu): Meaning 'to lose one's legs' or 'to be so surprised/frightened that one can't stand up'. Example: その知らせに腰を抜かした (Sono shirase ni koshi o nukashita) - 'I was so shocked by the news that my legs gave out.'
- 青ざめる (aozameru): To turn pale, often from fear or shock. Example: 彼は恐怖で青ざめた顔をした (Kare wa kyōfu de aozameta kao o shita) - 'He had a pale face from fear.'
- 震え上がる (furueagaru): To tremble violently, usually from cold or fear. Example: 寒さと恐怖で震え上がった (Samusa to kyōfu de furueagatta) - 'I trembled with cold and fear.'
As an adjective derived from the past tense of a verb, '怯えた' functions similarly to other i-adjectives or na-adjectives in Japanese, though it's often used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (at the end of a sentence). For example, '怯えた声' (obie-ta koe) means 'a frightened voice', and '彼は怯えた' (Kare wa obie-ta) means 'He became frightened'.
Pronunciation: The word is pronounced roughly as 'oh-bee-eh-tah'. The emphasis is fairly even across the syllables, with a slight natural rise and fall. There isn't a strong stress pattern like in English. Rhyming words are less common in Japanese due to its syllable structure, but words ending in '-eta' might share a similar sound, like '疲れた' (tsukareta - tired).
Fun Fact
The kanji 怯 (kyō, obie-ru) itself depicts a person (亻) affected by something, suggesting being overwhelmed or startled. Its usage dates back centuries in Japanese literature.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'oh-bee-eh-tah', with relatively even stress on each syllable.
Similar to UK pronunciation, 'oh-bee-eh-tah', with a slight emphasis on the 'oh' sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'e' sound too strongly.
- Adding an English-like stress pattern instead of Japanese moraic rhythm.
- Mispronouncing the final 'ta' sound.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to understand in context, but nuances require practice.
Straightforward to use in basic sentences, nuances take practice.
Pronunciation is relatively simple, but using it naturally requires practice.
Commonly used, usually easy to recognize.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb Past Tense Formation
怯える (obie-ru) -> 怯えた (obie-ta)
Adjective Usage
怯えた + Noun (e.g., 怯えた声)
Particles に and で
音に怯えた (obie-ta ni oto - scared by the sound), 声で話した (koe de hanashita - spoke with a voice)
Examples by Level
子供は犬を見て怯えた。
child TOPIC dog SEEING scared
The particle 'は' (wa) marks the topic.
私は大きな音に怯えた。
I TOPIC big sound DATIVE scared
The particle 'に' (ni) indicates the cause of the feeling.
猫は怯えた目をした。
cat TOPIC scared eyes DID
'目をする' (me o suru) means 'to have a certain look in one's eyes'.
彼は少し怯えた。
he TOPIC a little scared
Adverbs like '少し' (sukoshi - a little) modify the degree of the adjective.
その知らせは怯えた。
that news TOPIC scared
This sentence implies the news itself caused fear.
彼女は怯えた声で話した。
she TOPIC scared voice WITH spoke
'で' (de) can indicate the manner in which something is done.
鳥は怯えて飛んでいった。
bird TOPIC scared FLYING went
The '-te' form connects verbs, showing sequence or cause.
それは怯えた顔だった。
that scared face WAS
'だった' (datta) is the past tense of 'です' (desu - to be).
突然の物音に、子供は怯えた表情を見せた。
sudden sound DATIVE, child TOPIC scared expression SHOWED
The '-te' form of the verb '見せる' (miseru - to show) is used here.
暗闇の中で、彼は自分が怯えていることに気づいた。
darkness IN, he TOPIC himself scared BEING noticed
'ことに気づく' (koto ni kizuku) means 'to notice that...'
初めての場所で、子犬は少し怯えた様子だった。
first time place IN, puppy TOPIC a little scared appearance WAS
'様子だった' (yōsu datta) means 'appeared to be...'
彼の怯えた声は、状況の深刻さを物語っていた。
his scared voice TOPIC situation SERIOUSNESS TOLD
'物語る' (monogataru) means 'to tell a story' or 'to indicate'.
予期せぬ訪問者に、彼女は一瞬怯えた。
unexpected visitor DATIVE, she TOPIC for a moment scared
'一瞬' (isshun) means 'an instant' or 'a moment'.
その知らせを聞いて、彼は怯えた顔になった。
that news HEARING, he TOPIC scared face BECAME
'顔になる' (kao ni naru) means 'to make a certain facial expression'.
動物園で、珍しい動物を見て怯えた子供たちがいた。
zoo IN, rare animal SEEING scared children WERE
The '-te' form '見て' (mite) connects the action of seeing.
嵐の音に、家の中で怯えた猫が鳴いていた。
storm's sound DATIVE, house inside scared cat WAS CRYING
The particle 'で' (de) indicates location.
突然のサイレンの音に、彼は思わず怯えた表情を浮かべた。
sudden siren's sound DATIVE, he unintentionally scared expression FLOATED
'思わず' (omowazu) means 'unintentionally' or 'involuntarily'.
暗闇の中、彼は見慣れない音に怯え、身動きが取れなくなった。
darkness IN, he unfamiliar sound DATIVE scared, movement COULD NOT TAKE
'身動きが取れない' (miugoki ga torenai) means 'to be unable to move'.
初めての海外旅行で、彼女は言葉の壁に怯えた様子だった。
first time overseas trip IN, she language's wall DATIVE scared appearance WAS
'言葉の壁' (kotoba no kabe) is an idiom for 'language barrier'.
彼の怯えた声色から、事態の深刻さが伝わってきた。
his scared tone FROM, situation's seriousness WAS CONVEYED
'声色' (koe-iro) refers to the tone or timbre of one's voice.
予期せぬ厳しい評価に、彼は一瞬怯え、自信を失いかけた。
unexpected harsh evaluation DATIVE, he for a moment scared, confidence LOST ALMOST
'自信を失いかける' (jishin o ushinai-kakeru) means 'to almost lose confidence'.
その衝撃的なニュースを聞いて、町全体が怯えたような静けさに包まれた。
that shocking news HEARING, town whole scared LIKE silence WRAPPED
'〜ような' (yō na) means 'like' or 'as if'.
動物園で、普段見慣れない巨大な爬虫類を見て、子供たちは怯えながらも興味を示した。
zoo IN, usually unfamiliar giant reptile SEEING, children TOPIC scared WHILE interest SHOWED
'〜ながらも' (nagara mo) means 'while doing something, yet...'
激しい嵐の中、船は荒波にもまれ、乗組員たちは怯えていた。
fierce storm IN, ship TOPIC rough waves BY tossed, crew MEMBERS TOPIC were scared
'もまれる' (moma-reru) is the passive form of 'moma-ru', meaning to be tossed about or buffeted.
突然の緊急事態宣言に、多くの市民は動揺し、一部は怯えた表情を見せた。
sudden emergency situation declaration DATIVE, many citizens TOPIC were agitated, some scared expression SHOWED
'動揺する' (dōyō suru) means 'to be agitated' or 'to be upset'.
暗闇の中、未知の気配に怯え、彼は周囲の音に過敏になっていた。
darkness IN, unknown presence DATIVE scared, he surroundings' sounds DATIVE overly sensitive HAD BECOME
'過敏になる' (kabin ni naru) means 'to become overly sensitive'.
異文化の慣習に戸惑い、彼女は現地の人々と接することに怯えた。
different culture's customs DATIVE confused, she local people WITH interacting DATIVE was scared
'戸惑う' (tomadou) means 'to be confused' or 'to be bewildered'.
彼の怯えた声色には、単なる驚き以上の、深い恐怖が滲んでいた。
his scared tone IN, mere surprise MORE THAN, deep fear WAS SEEPING
'滲む' (nijimu) means 'to seep' or 'to become visible'.
予期せぬ解雇通告を受け、彼は生活基盤を失うことへの恐怖に怯えた。
unexpected dismissal notice RECEIVING, he livelihood foundation LOSING DATIVE fear DATIVE was scared
'生活基盤' (seikatsu kiban) means 'livelihood' or 'economic foundation'.
その歴史的な悲劇の記録を前に、現代の人々は自らの脆弱さに怯えた。
that historical tragedy's records BEFORE, modern people TOPIC their own vulnerability DATIVE were scared
'脆弱さ' (zeijaku-sa) means 'vulnerability' or 'fragility'.
動物園の飼育員は、危険な動物の世話をする際、常に細心の注意を払い、わずかな油断にも怯えることがある。
zoo's zookeepers TOPIC, dangerous animals' care DOING WHEN, always utmost attention PAY, slight carelessness EVEN scared CAN BE
'油断' (yudan) means 'carelessness' or 'complacency'.
嵐の中、船は激しく揺れ、経験豊富な船乗りでさえ、その猛威に怯えを感じていた。
storm IN, ship TOPIC violently shook, experienced sailors EVEN, that might DATIVE fear FELT
'猛威' (mōi) refers to violent power or fury.
予期せぬパンデミックの発生は、世界中の人々に広範な不安と、一部には根深い怯えをもたらした。
unexpected pandemic's occurrence TOPIC, world's people DATIVE widespread anxiety and, some DATIVE deep-seated fear BROUGHT
'根深い' (nebukai) means 'deep-rooted' or 'deep-seated'.
静寂を破る不気味な物音に怯え、彼は暗闇の中で幻覚を見ているのではないかと疑い始めた。
silence BREAKING eerie sound DATIVE scared, he darkness IN hallucinations SEEING NOT IS IT IF DOUBT STARTED
'幻覚を見る' (genkaku o miru) means 'to see hallucinations'.
異文化の複雑な社会規範に直面し、彼は自身の無知ゆえに生じる疎外感に怯え、孤立を深めていった。
different culture's complex social norms CONFRONTING, he his own ignorance BECAUSE arising alienation DATIVE was scared, isolation DEEPENED WENT
'疎外感' (sogaikan) means 'feeling of alienation'.
彼の怯えた声色には、単なる一時的な動揺を超えた、トラウマに起因する持続的な恐怖が色濃く表れていた。
his scared tone IN, mere temporary agitation BEYOND, trauma FROM stemming persistent fear WAS STRONGLY EXPRESSED
'色濃く表れる' (irokoku arawareru) means 'to be strongly expressed' or 'to be clearly visible'.
突然の事業破綻という現実に直面し、彼は自己資本の喪失だけでなく、社会的な信用失墜への怯えに苛まれていた。
sudden business failure THIS reality CONFRONTING, he own capital's loss NOT ONLY, social reputation's loss TOWARDS fear DATIVE was tormented
'信用失墜' (shin'yō shittsui) means 'loss of trust' or 'damage to reputation'.
その古代遺跡から発掘された遺物は、過去の文明の滅亡の様相を物語り、現代社会の脆さに怯えを呼び起こした。
that ancient ruins FROM excavated artifacts TOPIC, past civilizations' demise's appearance TOLD, modern society's fragility DATIVE fear AROUSED
'脆さ' (morosa) means 'fragility' or 'brittleness'.
野生動物の専門家でさえ、予測不能な行動をとる捕食者との遭遇においては、本能的な怯えを完全に払拭することはできない。
wild animal expert EVEN, unpredictable behavior TAKE predator WITH encounter IN, instinctive fear COMPLETELY ELIMINATE CANNOT
'払拭する' (fusshoku suru) means 'to wipe away' or 'to dispel'.
歴史の教科書に記された戦争の惨禍は、平和な現代に生きる我々にも、潜在的な脅威に対する漠然とした怯えを抱かせる。
history's textbooks IN written war's atrocities TOPIC, peaceful modern times IN living US EVEN, potential threats TOWARDS vague fear TO HOLD CAUSES
'惨禍' (sanka) means 'calamity' or 'disaster'.
未曾有の危機的状況下で、一部の指導者層に見られたのは、政策決定能力の麻痺に繋がるような、根源的な怯えであった。
unprecedented critical situation UNDER, some leader class IN SEEN WAS, policy decision-making ability's paralysis TO LEAD TO LIKE, fundamental fear WAS
'根源的な' (kongen-teki na) means 'fundamental' or 'root'.
深海における未知の生命体との遭遇は、人間の存在論的な不安を刺激し、想像を絶する怯えを呼び覚ました。
deep sea IN unknown life forms WITH encounter TOPIC, human ontological anxiety STIMULATED, imagination beyond measure fear AROUSED
'存在論的な' (sonzairon-teki na) means 'ontological'.
複雑怪奇な人間関係の網の中で、彼は自己のアイデンティティの喪失を恐れ、他者との関係構築に怯えを抱き続けていた。
complex bizarre human relationships' net WITHIN, he self's identity's loss FEARED, others WITH relationship building DATIVE fear HAD CONTINUOUSLY
'複雑怪奇' (fukuzatsu kaiki) means 'complex and bizarre'.
その芸術家の作品には、社会的な抑圧に対する激しい怒りと共に、自己の存在意義を問われることへの、痛切な怯えが投影されていた。
that artist's works IN, societal oppression TOWARDS fierce anger WITH, self's existence's meaning BEING QUESTIONED DATIVE, poignant fear WAS PROJECTED
'痛切な' (tsūsetsu na) means 'poignant' or 'heartfelt'.
突然の技術的陳腐化という現実が、長年培ってきた専門知識の価値を否定しかねないという事実に、彼は深い怯えを感じた。
sudden technological obsolescence THIS reality TOPIC, long years cultivated specialized knowledge's value NEGATE CANNOT THIS fact DATIVE, he deep fear FELT
'技術的陳腐化' (gijutsu-teki chinpu-ka) means 'technological obsolescence'.
古代の預言に語られる終末論的な描写は、人々に宇宙的なスケールでの無力さを思い起こさせ、畏敬の念を伴う怯えを抱かせた。
ancient prophecies IN told apocalyptic descriptions TOPIC, people DATIVE cosmic scale AT powerlessness REMINDED, awe ACCOMPANYING fear CAUSED
'終末論的な' (shūmatsu-ron-teki na) means 'apocalyptic'.
極限状況下における人間の心理的脆弱性を探求する物語は、読者に自身の内なる恐怖と向き合うよう促し、共感的な怯えを引き起こすことがある。
extreme situations UNDER human psychological vulnerability EXPLORING stories TOPIC, readers DATIVE their own inner fears CONFRONT TO DO URGE, empathetic fear CAN CAUSE
'脆弱性' (zeijaku-sei) means 'vulnerability'.
歴史の深淵に横たわる未解決の謎や陰謀論は、しばしば人々の理性的な理解を超え、根源的な、説明のつかない怯えを掻き立てる。
history's abyss IN lying unsolved mysteries AND conspiracy theories TOPIC, often people's rational understanding BEYOND, fundamental, unexplainable fear STIRS UP
'陰謀論' (inbō-ron) means 'conspiracy theory'.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"肝を冷やす (kimo o hiyasu)"
To be greatly frightened or chilled with fear.
突然の事故現場を見て、肝を冷やした。
neutral"腰を抜かす (koshi o nukasu)"
To be so surprised or frightened that one loses the strength to stand.
その信じられないニュースに腰を抜かした。
neutral"青ざめる (aozameru)"
To turn pale, usually from fear, shock, or illness.
彼は犯人の姿を見て青ざめた。
neutral"震え上がる (furueagaru)"
To tremble violently, typically from cold or intense fear.
寒さと恐怖で彼は震え上がった。
neutral"顔面蒼白 (ganmen sōhaku)"
Having a pale face, often due to extreme fear or shock.
彼の顔面蒼白ぶりは、事態の深刻さを示していた。
formal"度肝を抜く (dodamo nuku)"
To shock or startle someone greatly; to take someone's breath away.
彼の突然の告白に度肝を抜かれた。
casualEasily Confused
Both relate to fear and are past tense forms.
'怯えた' is often a reaction to immediate fright or timidity. '恐れた' is broader, covering general fear, apprehension, or dread, and can describe personality.
突然の物音に怯えた。(Startled by the sudden noise.) vs. 彼は将来を恐れていた。(He feared the future.)
Both mean 'was scared' and are common ways to express fear.
'怖がった' is more colloquial and often used for children's fear. '怯えた' can sound slightly more formal or descriptive of a visible reaction.
子供が怖がった。(The child was scared.) vs. その知らせに怯えた顔をした。(He made a frightened face at the news.)
Both relate to negative emotional states.
'怯えた' is about immediate fear or fright. '不安な' is about anxiety, worry, or unease, often concerning the future or uncertainty.
暗闇に怯えた。(Scared of the dark.) vs. 試験の結果が不安だ。(Anxious about the test results.)
Both describe a state of unease.
'緊張した' means nervous or tense, often before an event. '怯えた' implies fear or fright, usually in response to something perceived as threatening.
人前で話すのは緊張した。(Speaking in front of people made me nervous.) vs. 突然の訪問者に怯えた。(Was frightened by the sudden visitor.)
Sentence Patterns
Noun + は/が + 怯えた + Noun
その子は怯えた目をしていた。
Noun + は/が + 怯えた + 様子/表情/声
彼は怯えた様子で部屋に入ってきた。
Noun + が + 怯え + を + 与える/もたらす
その出来事は人々に怯えを与えた。
Noun + は + [Cause] + に + 怯えた
彼女は突然の物音に怯えた。
Noun + は + 怯え + て + Verb
彼は怯えて隠れた。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
The verb '怯える' means 'to be afraid', but to describe a state, the past tense form '怯えた' is used adjectivally.
'怯えた' describes a reaction or state, while '臆病な' describes a character trait of being habitually timid or cowardly.
'怯えた' implies a more immediate and specific fear, often in response to a stimulus, whereas '不安な' is broader and can be about future uncertainties.
'怯えた' describes the *state* of being scared, not the quality of the thing that *causes* fear.
'怯えた' implies a stronger level of fear or apprehension than simple nervousness or shyness.
Tips
Sound Association
Link the sound 'obie' to 'bee' and imagine a scared bee buzzing chaotically. Add 'ta' to complete the word 'obie-ta'.
Expressing Emotion
Japanese culture often values subtle emotional expression. '怯えた' fits well for describing nuanced reactions of fear or timidity.
Adjective Form
Treat '怯えた' like other descriptive adjectives. Place it before a noun (怯えた猫) or use it at the end of a sentence (猫は怯えた).
Rhythm Matters
Avoid strong English-like stress. Aim for a more even, rhythmic pronunciation across the syllables: o-bi-e-ta.
State vs. Trait
Don't confuse '怯えた' (state of fear) with personality traits like '臆病な' (cowardly). Use the right word for the right meaning!
Kanji Clues
The kanji 怯 visually suggests a person being overwhelmed or affected, reinforcing the meaning of fear.
Sentence Mining
Find example sentences with '怯えた' in manga, news, or books. Write them down and try to create your own variations.
Beyond People
You can use '怯えた' not just for people, but also for animals (e.g., a scared dog, a frightened bird).
Visual Story
Create a mini-story in your mind: A rabbit named Obie gets startled ('ta!' sound) and becomes scared.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'Bee' (ビ - bi) flying erratically, making you feel 'scared' (怯えた - obie-ta). The 'obi' sound is similar to 'bee'.
Visual Association
Picture a small rabbit ('obie') frozen in fear ('ta') when it hears a loud noise.
Word Web
Challenge
Try describing a time you felt scared using the word '怯えた' in a sentence.
Word Origin
Japanese
Original meaning: The verb 怯える (obie-ru) means 'to be afraid' or 'to tremble with fear'. The '-ta' form functions as an adjective describing the state of having become afraid.
Cultural Context
The word itself is neutral and widely applicable. However, describing someone as '怯えた' should be done with empathy, as it refers to a vulnerable emotional state.
In English, we have many words like 'scared', 'frightened', 'afraid', 'timid', 'anxious', 'nervous'. 'Obie-ta' often captures the immediate reaction of being startled or frightened, similar to 'scared' or 'frightened'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Describing reactions to unexpected events
- 突然の出来事に怯えた (Totsuzen no dekigoto ni obie-ta)
- 予期せぬ知らせに怯えた (Yoki senu shirase ni obie-ta)
- 大きな音に怯えた (Ōkina oto ni obie-ta)
Describing animals
- 怯えた猫 (Obie-ta neko)
- 怯えた子犬 (Obie-ta koinu)
- 怯えた鳥 (Obie-ta tori)
Describing a person's appearance or demeanor
- 怯えた目 (Obie-ta me)
- 怯えた表情 (Obie-ta hyōjō)
- 怯えた声 (Obie-ta koe)
Expressing personal feelings
- 私は怯えた (Watashi wa obie-ta)
- 少し怯えた (Sukoshi obie-ta)
- 怯えたように感じた (Obie-ta yō ni kanjita)
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever felt '怯えた' by something unexpected? What happened?"
"What kind of things usually make animals look '怯えた'?"
"Can you describe a character in a movie who often seemed '怯えた'?"
"How is the feeling of being '怯えた' different from just being 'nervous'?"
"If you saw someone looking '怯えた', what would you do?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you felt '怯えた'. Describe the situation and your feelings.
Imagine you are a small animal. Describe a day where you felt '怯えた'.
How does the word '怯えた' make you feel? Does it remind you of any other words?
Write a short story where the main character experiences being '怯えた' and overcomes it.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions'怯えた' usually describes a state of being scared or startled, often a reaction to something immediate. '恐れた' is a more general term for 'feared' and can imply a deeper or more prolonged fear, or fear of future events.
Not typically. While someone who is often '怯えた' might be described as timid, the word itself usually refers to a temporary state of fear. For a timid personality, '臆病な' (okubyō na) is more appropriate.
It implies a noticeable level of fear or fright, more than just mild nervousness. It's a common and versatile word for expressing being scared.
You can say '私は怯えた' (Watashi wa obie-ta) or, more naturally depending on context, describe the situation leading to the fear.
Commonly followed by nouns like 目 (me - eyes), 声 (koe - voice), 表情 (hyōjō - expression), and 様子 (yōsu - appearance/manner).
Less commonly than for concrete fears. For abstract fears or anxieties, words like '不安な' (fuan na - anxious) are often preferred.
No, it describes the emotional state of living beings (people, animals) that can experience fear.
The verb is 怯える (obie-ru), meaning 'to be afraid' or 'to tremble with fear'. '怯えた' is its past tense, used adjectivally.
Test Yourself
突然の大きな音に、子供は ______。
The sentence describes a reaction to a loud noise, so 'scared' is the appropriate word.
Which word best describes the feeling of being startled by something unexpected?
'怯えた' specifically describes the state of being scared or frightened.
The word '怯えた' can be used to describe someone who is feeling brave.
'怯えた' means scared or timid, the opposite of brave.
Word
Meaning
These are common collocations showing how '怯えた' modifies nouns related to appearance and sound.
The correct order is '彼は怯えた声で話した' (Kare wa obie-ta koe de hanashita), meaning 'He spoke in a frightened voice'.
暗闇の中で、見慣れない音に ______。
Hearing unfamiliar sounds in the dark typically leads to fear, making '怯えた' the most suitable choice.
Which situation would most likely cause someone to feel '怯えた'?
Encountering a dangerous animal is a direct threat that would cause fear, fitting the meaning of '怯えた'.
The word '怯えた' can describe a permanent personality trait of being cowardly.
'怯えた' typically describes a temporary state of fear or fright, rather than a lifelong personality trait like '臆病な' (okubyō na - cowardly).
その芸術家の作品には、社会への怒りと共に、自己の存在意義を問われることへの ______ が表れていた。
The context suggests a negative emotion related to questioning one's existence, making 'fear' (怯え) the appropriate choice.
The sentence reads: 歴史の教科書に記された戦争の惨禍は、平和な現代に生きる我々にも、潜在的な脅威に対する漠然とした怯えを抱かせる。(Rekishi no kyōkasho ni shirusareta sensō no sanka wa, heiwa na gendai ni ikiru wareware ni mo, senzai-teki na kyōi ni taisuru bakuzen to shita obie o idakaseru.) - The atrocities of war recorded in history textbooks cause even us living in peaceful modern times to harbor a vague fear towards potential threats.
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Summary
Use '怯えた' to vividly describe someone or something that has just become scared or frightened.
- Describes a state of being scared, frightened, or timid.
- Often used as a reaction to something sudden or threatening.
- Commonly modifies nouns like 'eyes', 'voice', or 'expression'.
- Derived from the verb 怯える (obie-ru - to be afraid).
Sound Association
Link the sound 'obie' to 'bee' and imagine a scared bee buzzing chaotically. Add 'ta' to complete the word 'obie-ta'.
Context is Key
Remember that '怯えた' describes the *result* of something frightening. Focus on the stimulus that caused the fear when using it.
Expressing Emotion
Japanese culture often values subtle emotional expression. '怯えた' fits well for describing nuanced reactions of fear or timidity.
Adjective Form
Treat '怯えた' like other descriptive adjectives. Place it before a noun (怯えた猫) or use it at the end of a sentence (猫は怯えた).
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More emotions words
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.
