吓 xià to scare
to scare; to frighten; to threaten; to intimidate
How to remember 吓: 口 mouth + 下 down = to scare. The big brother opens his mouth wide and jumps down from the bunk bed, roaring, just to scare his little sister.
Component breakdown
吓 = 口 mouth + 下 down
- 口 mouth
- 下 down
- 一 one
- 卜 fortune teller
The big brother opens his mouth wide and jumps down from the bunk bed, roaring, just to scare his little sister.
How it is used
- To frighten/startle - 吓了一跳 (xià le yí tiào) got startled, 吓人 (xiàrén) scary, 吓唬 (xiàhu) to scare someone (colloquial).
- Read hè in the formal 恐吓 (kǒnghè) to threaten/intimidate.
- Note it's usually the cause of fear (to scare) - for feeling afraid use 害怕 (hàipà).