恐吓

kǒng hè

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Common

Definitions

1. to threaten
2. to menace

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

安抚

ān fǔ

to placate

使平静、消除恐惧

Register variants

1 item

吓唬

xià hu

to scare

口语中常用，语气较轻

Related words

1 item

勒索

lè suǒ

to blackmail

以威胁手段强取财物

Synonyms

1 item

威胁

wēi xié

to threaten; to menace

通过言语或行动使对方感到恐惧

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

dān fāng kǒng hè

unilateral threat

Child Words of 恐吓

to scare

to frighten

afraid