おどろおどろしい

• Reading: おどろおどろしい
• Romaji: odoroodoroshii
• Pronunciation: /o.do.ɾo.o.do.ɾo.ɕiː/

Meaning

Eerie; gruesome; ghastly; hair-raising. Describes something that evokes dread or horror through its ominous, uncanny quality.

An i-adjective formed by reduplicating おどろ (archaic — dread, terror) and adding しい. The reduplication intensifies the sinister quality. Used for horror film soundtracks, gory imagery, frightening supernatural legends, and anything with a theatrically ominous atmosphere. In casual use it can also describe something outrageously ostentatious or garish, with a slightly humorous edge.

Examples

1. そのホラー映画はおどろおどろしい音楽と映像で、子どもには刺激が強すぎた。 The horror film's eerie music and imagery were far too intense for children.
2. 古い城に伝わるおどろおどろしい伝説が、今も村人たちの間で語り継がれている。 The hair-raising legend passed down in the old castle is still told among the villagers to this day.
3. おどろおどろしい雰囲気の廃墟が、若者たちの肝試しスポットになっていた。 The eerie, ominous atmosphere of the ruins had become a dare spot for thrill-seeking young people.

Usage Guide

Context: horror, folklore, literature, film criticism

Tone: ominous

Origin & History

Formed by reduplicating おどろ, an archaic word for terror or dread (related to 驚く — to be surprised, startled), then adding the i-adjective suffix しい. Appears in classical literature to describe supernatural dread.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical to Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal