Japanese symbol for “frighten”
脅す
おどす
Romaji: odosu
to threaten; to menace; to frighten (into doing)
In Japanese, frighten is 脅す, read おどす (odosu).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- v5s, vt to threaten; to menace; to frighten (into doing)
Written forms: 脅す、威す、嚇す. Readings: おどす.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “frighten”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 驚かす | おどろかす odorokasu | to surprise; to frighten; to create a stir |
| 脅かす | おびやかす obiyakasu | to intimidate; to frighten; to scare |
| 圧倒 | あっとう attou | to intimidate; to frighten; to threaten |
| 脅かす | おどかす odokasu | to startle; to frighten; to scare |
| 震駭させる | しんがいさせる shingaisaseru | to frighten; to terrify; to shock |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 脅迫 | きょうはく kyouhaku | threat; menace; coercion |
| 脅威 | きょうい kyoui | threat; menace |
| 脅かす | おどかす odokasu | to threaten; to menace; to intimidate |
| 脅し | おどし odoshi | threat |
| 脅かし | おどかし odokashi | threat |
See also: Chinese symbol for “frighten”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.