“恐吓” describes the act of using fear to manipulate or pressure someone into doing something, often with malicious intent.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Intimidate or threaten to cause fear.
- Aims to control or coerce actions.
- Often involves verbal or physical menace.
Overview
“恐吓” (kǒnghè) 是一个动词，其核心含义是通过制造恐惧感来威胁或吓唬他人，从而迫使对方屈服或按照自己的意愿行事。它不仅仅是让对方感到害怕，更深层次的目的是通过这种害怕来达到控制、胁迫或阻止对方的目的。这种行为通常带有恶意，并且在很多情况下可能触犯法律。
“恐吓”在句子中常作谓语，可以直接跟宾语，如“恐吓某人”。它也可以与表示方式、工具的介词结构搭配，如“用言语恐吓”、“通过暴力恐吓”。此外，它还可以用于描述一种行为或手段，如“恐吓行为”、“恐吓手段”。在口语中，有时也可见“恐吓说…”的用法，表示通过恐吓的方式说出某种威胁性的话语。这个词语的使用频率较高，尤其在描述冲突、犯罪或不当行为的语境中。
“恐吓”一词常出现在法律、新闻报道、社会评论以及人际关系冲突的语境中。例如，在法律领域，有“恐吓罪”、“恐吓证人”等说法，指明其违法性。在新闻中，常报道“嫌犯恐吓受害者”、“某组织恐吓竞争对手”等事件。在日常生活中，虽然不常直接使用“恐吓”来形容轻微的吓唬，但当行为严重到影响他人安全或自由时，便会用到此词。它也可以用于描述商业竞争中不正当的手段，或者政治斗争中的压迫行为。
与“恐吓”意义相近的词语有“威胁”、“吓唬”和“恫吓”。
- 恐吓 (kǒnghè)：侧重于通过制造恐惧来达到控制或胁迫的目的，强调心理上的压力和使人感到害怕。它通常是一种有预谋的、带有恶意和目的性的行为，后果可能比较严重。
- 威胁 (wēixié)：是一个更广义的词，指通过言语或行动告知对方将采取某种不利于对方的行动。威胁不一定直接制造恐惧，也可以是警告或预告某种后果。恐吓是威胁的一种具体形式，但威胁不一定是恐吓。例如，我可以威胁你，如果你不还钱，我就起诉你，这是一种威胁，但不一定是恐吓。
- 吓唬 (xiàhu)：通常指程度较轻的、有时甚至是开玩笑性质的吓人行为，目的可能只是为了逗乐、引起注意或阻止对方做某件小事，不一定带有恶意或严重的胁迫意图。例如，大人吓唬小孩“不听话老虎会来抓你”。
- 恫吓 (dònghè)：与“恐吓”的意义非常接近，甚至可以互换使用。它也指通过言语或姿态来威胁、吓唬人。在语体上，“恫吓”可能比“恐吓”略显书面化或正式一些，但两者都强调通过恐慌来施加压力。
Examples
那个孩子经常恐吓其他同学，不让他们玩他的玩具。
everydayThat child often intimidated other classmates, preventing them from playing with his toys.
警方正在调查这起涉嫌恐吓证人的案件，以确保司法公正。
formalThe police are investigating this case involving alleged intimidation of witnesses to ensure judicial fairness.
别恐吓我，我才不怕你！有本事就光明正大地来！
informalDon't try to scare me, I'm not afraid of you! If you're capable, come at me fairly!
研究表明，恐吓行为对受害者的心理健康会造成长期负面影响，包括焦虑和抑郁。
academicStudies show that intimidation behavior can have long-term negative impacts on victims' mental health, including anxiety and depression.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
恐吓信
threatening letter
言语恐吓
verbal intimidation
暴力恐吓
violent intimidation
Often Confused With
"威胁" is broader, meaning "to threaten" in general, which can include "恐吓" as a method. "恐吓" specifically focuses on instilling fear to achieve a goal, while "威胁" can also be a simple warning of adverse action.
"吓唬" is more informal and often implies a lighter, sometimes playful, attempt to scare someone, or a less severe form of intimidation. "恐吓" is typically more serious, malicious, and aims to coerce or control through intense fear.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
"恐吓" is a formal and serious term, often used in legal, journalistic, or official contexts. It describes an act of malicious intent aimed at coercing someone through fear. It carries a strong negative connotation and implies a more severe action than simply "scaring" someone.
Common Mistakes
One common mistake is confusing "恐吓" with "吓唬" when the intent is serious; "吓唬" is often for lighter or playful scares. Another error is using it for simple warnings without an intent to instill fear or coerce, where "威胁" might be more appropriate for general threats. Ensure the context implies a deliberate attempt to instill deep fear for control.
Tips
Recognize the Intent
Understand that '恐吓' aims to instill fear to control or coerce someone into an action, rather than just scaring them.
Legal Consequences
Engaging in '恐吓' can have serious legal repercussions, as it often constitutes a crime or civil offense in many jurisdictions.
Cultural Nuances of Pressure
While overt '恐吓' is universally negative, be aware that subtle forms of pressure or veiled threats might exist in certain social or business interactions in some cultures, though still generally viewed unfavorably.
Word Origin
The character "恐" means "fear" or "dread." The character "吓" means "to scare" or "to frighten." The combination clearly indicates the act of causing fear or dread in others, specifically with the intent to influence their actions.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, overt "恐吓" is generally frowned upon and seen as uncivilized and illegal behavior. While direct intimidation is condemned, subtle forms of pressure or veiled threats might sometimes be observed in certain social or business negotiations, though these are also negatively perceived if their manipulative intent is exposed.
Memory Tip
Think of "恐" (kǒng) as "horror" and "吓" (hè) as "to scare." When you combine them, you get "horror-scare," which is exactly what intimidation does: it uses fear to control or coerce.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“恐吓”更侧重于通过制造恐惧感来达到目的，强调心理上的压力和使人感到害怕。而“威胁”是一个更广义的词，可以是直接告知对方将采取不利行动，不一定非要制造恐惧，也可以是警告或预告某种后果。
“恐吓”可以出现在人际冲突、犯罪行为、商业竞争、政治斗争等多种场合，目的是让对方屈服或按照自己的意愿行事。在法律和新闻报道中尤其常见。
在大多数法律体系中，恐吓行为，尤其涉及人身安全、财产或自由的，通常是非法的，并可能构成犯罪，如恐吓罪、敲诈勒索罪等。即使不构成犯罪，也可能涉及民事侵权。
面对恐吓，应保持冷静，评估情况，不要独自承受压力。必要时，应立即寻求法律援助或警方保护，收集证据，并告知信任的人，以确保自身安全和权益。
Test Yourself
他的话语充满了___，让小明感到非常不安。
根据句意，“让小明感到非常不安”表明这是一种负面的、使人害怕的言语，因此“恐吓”最合适。
哪个词语最能形容通过言语或行为使人感到害怕，并迫使对方屈服？
“恐吓”的核心意义就是通过制造恐惧来达到控制或胁迫的目的，使其屈服。
用“恐吓”造句。
“恐吓”通常用于描述负面的、带有胁迫性的行为，选项A符合其使用语境。
Score: /3
Summary
“恐吓” describes the act of using fear to manipulate or pressure someone into doing something, often with malicious intent.
- Intimidate or threaten to cause fear.
- Aims to control or coerce actions.
- Often involves verbal or physical menace.
Recognize the Intent
Understand that '恐吓' aims to instill fear to control or coerce someone into an action, rather than just scaring them.
Legal Consequences
Engaging in '恐吓' can have serious legal repercussions, as it often constitutes a crime or civil offense in many jurisdictions.
Cultural Nuances of Pressure
While overt '恐吓' is universally negative, be aware that subtle forms of pressure or veiled threats might exist in certain social or business interactions in some cultures, though still generally viewed unfavorably.
Examples
4 of 4那个孩子经常恐吓其他同学，不让他们玩他的玩具。
That child often intimidated other classmates, preventing them from playing with his toys.
警方正在调查这起涉嫌恐吓证人的案件，以确保司法公正。
The police are investigating this case involving alleged intimidation of witnesses to ensure judicial fairness.
别恐吓我，我才不怕你！有本事就光明正大地来！
Don't try to scare me, I'm not afraid of you! If you're capable, come at me fairly!
研究表明，恐吓行为对受害者的心理健康会造成长期负面影响，包括焦虑和抑郁。
Studies show that intimidation behavior can have long-term negative impacts on victims' mental health, including anxiety and depression.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
