About
The character 怖, representing fear or terror, is structured as a phono-semantic compound combining the heart radical 忄 with the phonetic component 布, which historically provided auditory cues while possibly alluding to the pervasive nature of fright. Its etymology places it within classical Chinese texts where it conveyed acute psychological states of dread or alarm, a core meaning that has persisted through the language's historical layers. Over time, while retaining this essential sense, the character has seen a subtle shift in usage, becoming more frequently embedded in compound words that denote abstract or intense forms of fear rather than standing alone for personal apprehension. This structural and functional consistency, anchored by the heart radical implying emotional disturbance, has allowed 怖 to maintain a specific niche within the lexical expressions of human emotion.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这部电影很恐怖。
他感到非常恐怖。
恐怖故事让我睡不着。
听到那个消息，他恐怖极了。
那个场景可真可怖。
森林里的黑暗令人恐怖。
尽管他外表镇定，内心却充满恐怖。
对于未知的未来，人们往往会产生一种莫名的恐怖。