The term 吓人 (xiàrén) means 'to scare' or 'to frighten.' It is commonly used to describe something that causes fear or shock, whether in a literal sense like a horror movie or in a metaphorical sense, such as alarming news. This phrase captures the essence of inducing fear in others.
HSK 7, rank #3162, Hard
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March 24, 2026
吓人()xiàrén(xia4ren2)
The term 吓人 (xiàrén) means 'to scare' or 'to frighten.' It is commonly used to describe something that causes fear or shock, whether in a literal sense like a horror movie or in a metaphorical sense, such as alarming news. This phrase captures the essence of inducing fear in others.
Frequency#3162DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, ghost stories are a traditional form of entertainment, especially during festivals like the Ghost Festival, where tales of the supernatural are commonly shared, making 吓人 particularly relevant during these times.
Memory Tip
Imagine a scary ghost appearing suddenly and saying 'Xia!' which sounds like 'scare' in English. The character 吓 has a radical that resembles a person (人) being startled, helping you visualize someone frightened.
About 吓人
吓人Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 吓人
Podcast: 吓人
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AI Study Notes for 吓人
Quick Contrast
害怕 (hàipà) - 吓人 refers to something that causes fear in others, while 害怕 describes the feeling of fear experienced by oneself.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a scary ghost appearing suddenly and saying 'Xia!' which sounds like 'scare' in English. The character 吓 has a radical that resembles a person (人) being startled, helping you visualize someone frightened.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 吓人 with just 吓 (to scare) alone, as 吓人 specifically emphasizes the effect on a person. This term is typically used in informal contexts. A common collocation is 吓人的故事 (scary stories).
HSK Study Tips
Although not an HSK vocabulary word, 吓人 can be related to HSK Level 3 words like 恐怕 (kǒngpà - to be afraid) and 事情 (shìqíng - things/events). Focus on the usage of 吓人 in everyday conversations about fears or surprises.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, ghost stories are a traditional form of entertainment, especially during festivals like the Ghost Festival, where tales of the supernatural are commonly shared, making 吓人 particularly relevant during these times.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 吓人 in a formal context, which can sound awkward. For example, saying '这个报告吓人' (This report is scary) may not be appropriate; instead, use a more neutral term to describe the report.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 吓人
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Cultural Notes for 吓人
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, ghost stories are a traditional form of entertainment, especially during festivals like the Ghost Festival, where tales of the supernatural are commonly shared, making 吓人 particularly relevant during these times.
Frequently Asked Questions about 吓人
You can say '这个电影很吓人' (This movie is very scary).
It's primarily used in informal contexts.
Yes, you can say someone is 吓人的 if they have a frightening presence.
