Use '吓人' to describe anything that shocks, scares, or surprises you significantly.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to describe things that cause fear or alarm.
- Commonly used in daily life for scary or extreme situations.
- Can describe both physical danger and surprisingly large numbers.
Overview
- 1概述：‘吓人’是由动词‘吓’和词缀‘人’构成的复合词，字面意思是‘使人感到害怕’。它是中文口语中非常高频的词汇，用于表达对某种刺激源的恐惧感。2) 用法模式：该词通常作谓语或定语。作谓语时，前面常加‘太’、‘真’、‘很’等程度副词；作定语时，后面常接名词，如‘吓人的电影’。3) 常见语境：常用于描述恐怖电影、危险的动物、恶劣的天气，或者形容某个数字、价格高得离谱。例如，‘这个价格太吓人了’表示价格高得让人难以接受。4) 近义词辨析：与‘可怕’相比，‘吓人’更口语化，侧重于生理上的惊吓；‘恐怖’则带有更强的视觉或心理压迫感，常用于正式场合或电影类型描述。
Examples
这个鬼屋太吓人了。
everydayThis haunted house is too scary.
通货膨胀的速度令人感到吓人。
formalThe speed of inflation is alarming.
别吓人，我胆子小。
informalDon't scare me, I'm easily frightened.
他脸上的伤疤看起来很吓人。
academicThe scar on his face looks intimidating.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
别吓人
Don't scare me.
吓死人了
Scared to death.
长得吓人
Looks intimidating.
Often Confused With
Refers to something that causes dread or fear. It is slightly more formal than '吓人'.
Refers to being astonishing or surprising, often in a positive or neutral way, whereas '吓人' is always negative.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use '吓人' primarily in spoken Chinese or informal writing. It is highly versatile, covering both physical terror and figurative shock. Avoid using it in highly professional or sensitive contexts where more specific adjectives are preferred.
Common Mistakes
Some learners use '吓人' to describe something 'surprising' in a good way, which is incorrect. It should only be used for negative or frightening surprises. Also, ensure the degree adverb precedes it for natural flow.
Tips
Use with degree adverbs
Always pair it with '太' (too) or '真' (really) to emphasize the intensity of the feeling. For example, '太吓人了' is a natural way to express shock.
Avoid in formal writing
While very common in conversation, avoid using '吓人' in academic papers or formal reports. Use more precise descriptors like '惊人' (alarming) or '严重' (serious) instead.
Contextual usage in China
In Chinese culture, people often use '吓人' to express surprise at high prices or fast speeds, which might seem like a literal 'scare' to foreigners but is just idiomatic.
Word Origin
Derived from the verb '吓' (to scare) and the noun '人' (person). It evolved from describing a person's behavior that causes fear to describing any stimulus causing fear.
Cultural Context
In China, parents sometimes use the word '吓人' to warn children about dangerous places or bad behaviors, making it a common word in early childhood education.
Memory Tip
Think of '吓' (scare) + '人' (people). It literally means 'scaring people'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions两者意思相近，但“吓人”更口语化，多用于日常交流。而“可怕”语气稍重，有时带有更强的心理恐惧意味。
不是。它也可以形容价格、速度、天气等超出正常范畴的程度，例如“这个数字增长得太吓人了”。
可以。形容一个人外表凶恶或脾气暴躁，让人感到害怕时，可以说“他生气的时候真吓人”。
在书面语中，可以使用“令人恐惧”、“惊人”或“骇人”来代替，具体取决于语境。
Test Yourself
这部电影太___了，我不敢看。
电影让人害怕，所以用吓人。
当你想表达某样东西价格极其昂贵时：
当数字大到让人吃惊时，可以用吓人形容。
他 / 样子 / 的 / 很 / 吓人
正确的定语+主语+谓语结构。
Score: /3
Summary
Use '吓人' to describe anything that shocks, scares, or surprises you significantly.
- Used to describe things that cause fear or alarm.
- Commonly used in daily life for scary or extreme situations.
- Can describe both physical danger and surprisingly large numbers.
Use with degree adverbs
Always pair it with '太' (too) or '真' (really) to emphasize the intensity of the feeling. For example, '太吓人了' is a natural way to express shock.
Avoid in formal writing
While very common in conversation, avoid using '吓人' in academic papers or formal reports. Use more precise descriptors like '惊人' (alarming) or '严重' (serious) instead.
Contextual usage in China
In Chinese culture, people often use '吓人' to express surprise at high prices or fast speeds, which might seem like a literal 'scare' to foreigners but is just idiomatic.
Examples
4 of 4这个鬼屋太吓人了。
This haunted house is too scary.
通货膨胀的速度令人感到吓人。
The speed of inflation is alarming.
别吓人，我胆子小。
Don't scare me, I'm easily frightened.
他脸上的伤疤看起来很吓人。
The scar on his face looks intimidating.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
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.
