骇 hài to terrify
to terrify; to shock; to frighten
How to remember 骇: 马 horse + 亥 pig = to terrify. The calm old horse is used to tractors, but one squealing pig in the yard is enough to terrify it.
Component breakdown
骇 = 马 horse + 亥 pig
- 马 horse
- 亥 pig
The calm old horse is used to tractors, but one squealing pig in the yard is enough to terrify it.
How it is used
- To shock/horrify, stronger and more literary than 吓 (xià, to scare) - its home is 骇人听闻 (hàiréntīngwén) shocking, appalling to hear - 骇人听闻的罪行 (hàiréntīngwén de zuìxíng) a horrifying crime.
- Also 惊骇 (jīnghài) to be aghast, 骇然 (hàirán) struck with horror. Reserved for genuinely dreadful things, not everyday frights.
- Written register; almost always in fixed compounds.