怖
Mnemonic
A spirit draped in old, tattered fabric floats silently toward you in a dark hallway. The fabric spreads wide open, revealing nothing underneath—just a hollow void where a body should be. That faceless, empty presence drifting closer is utterly dreadful.
Additional thoughts
Picture the classic ghost image: a spirit hidden beneath a sheet of fabric. But this one is worse—when the fabric parts, there's nothing there at all. The emptiness is what makes it truly terrifying. Spirit (heart radical) + Fabric = Dreadful.Quick recall
A spirit cloaked in fabric reveals hollow emptiness beneath—absolutely dreadful.Details
The keyword for 怖 is dreadful. This kanji conveys a deep sense of fear, terror, or dread—the kind of visceral emotional response one feels when confronted with something frightening or threatening. It describes both the feeling of being afraid and the quality of something that inspires such fear. Whether referring to a scary experience or an intimidating presence, this kanji captures the essence of what makes one's heart race with fright.
- On'yomi
- ふ、ほ
- Kun'yomi
- こわ.い、こわ.がる、お.じる、おそ.れる