恐吓

kǒng hè

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Common

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Definitions

1. to threaten
2. to menace

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 安抚 ān fǔ 安抚 ān fǔ to placate 使平静、消除恐惧: to placate

Register variants

1 item

• 吓唬 xià hu 吓唬 xià hu to scare 口语中常用，语气较轻: to scare

Related words

1 item

• 勒索 lè suǒ 勒索 lè suǒ to blackmail 以威胁手段强取财物: to blackmail

Synonyms

1 item

• 威胁 wēi xié 威胁 wēi xié to threaten; to menace 通过言语或行动使对方感到恐惧: to threaten; to menace

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not confuse with 恐惧 (n./adj. 'fear'); 恐吓 is an action verb meaning 'to threaten'.

Formality

恐吓 is formal and often used in legal or official contexts, while 吓唬 is colloquial.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他 恐吓 我说要报警。

He threatened me, saying he would call the police.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 恐吓

• 单方恐吓 单方恐吓 dān fāng kǒng hè: unilateral threat

Child Words of 恐吓

• 吓 吓 hè: to scare
• 吓 吓 xià: to frighten
• 恐 恐 kǒng: afraid