Quick answer
怖 is the kanji for "Frightening". Its reading is こわ.い (kowai). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.
Meaning
Frightening
Also : Fearful · Be frightened
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
8 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 怖 represents 'DREADFUL'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of dreadful.
On-reading: ふ — remember this sound by associating it with dreadful. Kun-reading: こわ.い.
Example Sentences
怖い映画は見られません。
こわいえいがはみられません。
I can't watch scary movies.
お化けが怖いです。
おばけがこわいです。
I'm scared of ghosts.
Vocabulary using 怖
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
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