脅す

• Reading: おどす
• Romaji: odosu
• Kanji breakdown: 脅 (kyō/odo) — threaten, menace, intimidate
• Pronunciation: /o.do.sɯ/

Meaning

To threaten; to menace; to intimidate. To frighten someone into doing something.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb meaning to threaten or intimidate someone, often to coerce them into action. Distinguished from the related 脅かす (odokasu), which can mean either to threaten or to startle. 脅す is specifically about deliberate intimidation. Common in legal, criminal, and interpersonal conflict contexts. The noun form 脅し (threat) is also widely used.

Examples

1. 金を渡さないと脅されて警察に相談した。 I was threatened and told to hand over money, so I went to the police.
2. 弱い者を脅すのは卑怯なことだ。 It's cowardly to threaten the weak.
3. 脅しに屈せず毅然とした態度をとった。 She refused to give in to threats and stood her ground with composure.

Usage Guide

Context: crime, law, interpersonal conflict

Tone: serious

Origin & History

The kanji 脅 combines 月 (body/flesh) and 劦 (three powers/forces), suggesting multiple forces bearing down on the body — a vivid image of being physically intimidated or threatened.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal