恐怖

• Pinyin: kǒng bù
• Hanzi breakdown: 恐 = 巩 + 心 (heart); 怖 = 忄(heart) + 布

Meaning

Terrifying; horrifying; terror. Describes something that causes extreme fear or relates to terrorism.

Can describe both the emotion of terror and things that cause it. Also used in political contexts for terrorism (恐怖主义, 恐怖袭击). Common in describing horror movies, scary situations, or violent threats.

Examples

1. 这部恐怖电影太吓人了，我不敢一个人看。 This horror movie is too scary — I don't dare watch it alone.
2. 恐怖袭击给当地民众造成了巨大的心理创伤。 The terrorist attack caused tremendous psychological trauma to local residents.
3. 地震后的场景恐怖至极，到处都是废墟。 The scene after the earthquake was absolutely terrifying — rubble everywhere.

Usage Guide

Context: fear, terrorism, horror genre

Tone: intense

Do Say

• 这个场景太恐怖了。(This scene is terrifying.)
• 我不喜欢看恐怖片。(I don't like watching horror movies.)

Don't Say

• 这道数学题真恐怖。(Avoid using 恐怖 for difficult things — use 难 or 可怕; 恐怖 implies genuine terror)

Origin & History

Compound of 恐 (fear) + 怖 (dread). Both characters relate to fear, creating an intensified meaning.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal