脅迫

• Reading: きょうはく
• Romaji: kyouhaku
• Kanji breakdown: 脅 (kyō) — threaten, intimidate; 迫 (haku) — press, approach, urge
• Pronunciation: /kjoː.ha.kɯ/

Meaning

Threat; menace; coercion; blackmail. Intimidating someone to force compliance.

A suru-verb with serious legal implications. 脅迫罪 (crime of intimidation) is a specific offence in Japanese criminal law. Used in both legal and everyday contexts to describe threatening behaviour. Distinct from 脅かす (to threaten/scare), which is less formal and less severe.

Examples

1. 脅迫の電話がかかってきたので警察に通報した。 I received a threatening phone call and reported it to the police.
2. 脅迫されても絶対に屈してはいけない。 You must never give in, even if you're threatened.
3. 彼は脅迫罪で逮捕された。 He was arrested for making criminal threats.

Usage Guide

Context: law, crime, news

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 脅 (threaten, intimidate) + 迫 (press, approach). Literally 'to press with threats,' conveying the forceful nature of intimidation.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal