About
The simplified character 吓 is a phonosemantic compound: it pairs the semantic mouth radical 口 on the left with the phonetic 下 (xià) on the right, although 下 ordinarily means 'down', it serves here only to indicate the pronunciation. The traditional form of this character is 嚇, which uses 赫 (hè) as its phonetic element; 赫 is built from two 赤 ('red') and connotes a brilliant, intimidating redness. Because it incorporates the mouth radical, the character originally depicted a sharp cry or sudden noise meant to startle someone. In modern usage, 吓 is primarily a verb meaning to frighten, scare, or threaten, and with a different pronunciation it becomes an interjection expressing disapproval, anger, or sudden astonishment.
Example Sentences Hide
请不要吓我。
这个故事很吓人。
他喜欢吓唬小孩。
突然的声音吓了我一跳。
别用鬼故事吓唬人。
她被吓得大声尖叫。
这部电影的恐怖镜头吓坏了不少观众。
突如其来的雷声把孩子们吓得躲进了屋里。
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