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可怕 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
可怕
kěpà
awful
HSK 5, c, 13 strokes, rank #936, Hard
可怕
kěpà
dreadful
HSK 5, c, 13 strokes, rank #936, Hard
可怕
kěpà
fearful
HSK 5, c, 13 strokes, rank #936, Hard
可怕
kěpà
formidable
HSK 5, c, 13 strokes, rank #936, Hard
可怕
kěpà
frightful
HSK 5, c, 13 strokes, rank #936, Hard
可怕
kěpà
scary
HSK 5, c, 13 strokes, rank #936, Hard
可怕
kěpà
hideous
HSK 5, c, 13 strokes, rank #936, Hard
可怕
kěpà
horrible
HSK 5, c, 13 strokes, rank #936, Hard
可怕
kěpà
terrible
HSK 5, c, 13 strokes, rank #936, Hard
可怕
kěpà
terribly
HSK 5, c, 13 strokes, rank #936, Hard
kěpà(ke3pa4)ke pa T3
1awful
2dreadful
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
可怕kěpà(ke3pa4)
可怕 (kěpà) means 'awful' or 'scary' and is often used to describe something that evokes fear or dread. It can refer to both physical objects, like a frightening movie, or abstract concepts, such as a dreadful situation. This word is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to express strong negative emotions.
Strokes13Frequency#936DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of fear is often explored in folklore and ghost stories, especially during festivals like the Hungry Ghost Festival. The use of 可怕 can evoke these cultural narratives and highlight the importance of respecting the supernatural.
Memory tip
Imagine a scary scene where someone sees a big 'K' (可) that is 'pah!' (怕) inducing fear. The '可' resembles a person with arms raised in fright, and '怕' sounds like 'pa' which you might exclaim in shock. Together they create a vivid image of something truly fearsome.
Meanings of 可怕
kěpà(ke3pa4)
1awful
2dreadful
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 可怕 means.
About 可怕
可怕Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#936Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 可怕
Podcast: 可怕
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AI study notes for 可怕
Quick Contrast
可怕 (kěpà) vs 恐怖 (kǒngbù) — use 可怕 for a broader range of fearful situations, while 恐怖 is more specific to horror or terror.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 可怕 with similar adjectives like 可笑 (kěxiào, funny) or 可爱 (kě'ài, cute), which can lead to misunderstandings in context. It's typically used in informal settings but can also be used in writing. Be careful with the tone; mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 可怕 helps learners expand their vocabulary related to emotions and descriptions. Students should focus on using it in various contexts, particularly in storytelling or discussing fears, which can help reinforce its meaning and usage.
Common Mistakes
Learners may use 可怕 inappropriately by saying things like '这件衣服可怕' (This clothing is scary), which doesn't make sense. Instead, use it for contexts that genuinely evoke fear or dread, such as a horror movie.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 可怕
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Learning Lab
Knowing 可怕 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
可怕 (kěpà) means 'awful' or 'scary' and is often used to describe something that evokes fear or dread. It can refer to both physical objects, like a frightening movie, or abstract concepts, such as a dreadful situation. This word is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to express strong negative emotions.
When to use 可怕
Learners often confuse 可怕 with similar adjectives like 可笑 (kěxiào, funny) or 可爱 (kě'ài, cute), which can lead to misunderstandings in context. It's typically used in informal settings but can also be used in writing. Be careful with the tone; mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning entirely.
可怕 or something close to it
可怕 (kěpà) vs 恐怖 (kǒngbù) — use 可怕 for a broader range of fearful situations, while 恐怖 is more specific to horror or terror.
What learners get wrong
Learners may use 可怕 inappropriately by saying things like '这件衣服可怕' (This clothing is scary), which doesn't make sense. Instead, use it for contexts that genuinely evoke fear or dread, such as a horror movie.
Write 可怕
可
怕
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Practice writing 可怕 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 可怕
可怕 functions as a conjunction — it connects clauses or phrases. Many Chinese conjunctions come in pairs (虽然…但是…, 因为…所以…); use them at the front of the clauses they link. It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这是我记忆中最____的一晚。
This is the most awful evening I can ever remember.
Example sentences for 可怕 (15)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这是我记忆中最可怕的一晚。
zhè shì wǒ jìyì zhōng zuì kěpà de yī wǎn。
This is the most awful evening I can ever remember.
2
一声尖叫打破了这可怕的沉寂。
yī shēng jiān jiào dǎpò le zhè kěpà de chén jì。
The unearthly silence was broken by a shrill screaming.
3
没人知道如何治疗这种可怕的疾病。
méi rén zhīdào rúhé zhìliáo zhè zhǒng kěpà de jíbìng。
No one knew how to treat this dreaded disease.
4
今天报上登的那宗勒索案真可怕。
jīntiān bào shàng dēng de nà Zōng lèsuǒ àn zhēn kěpà。
That was a terrible case of blackmail in the paper today.
