Definition
吓唬 (xià hu) is an informal, often playful verb meaning 'to scare or frighten someone on purpose' — it implies an intentional act (like a prank or threat), unlike 吓 (xià) which can be unintentional. It's more colloquial than 恐吓 (kǒng hè 'to threaten, menace'), which is formal and serious.
verb
to scareto frighten (often intentionally or playfully, informal)
Examples
- 吓唬,。Bié xià hu xiǎohái, tāmen huì hàipà.Don't scare the kids — they'll be frightened.
- 吓唬,。Tā zhǐshì xià hu nǐ, bú huì zhēn dòngshǒu.He's just trying to scare you; he won't actually fight.
- 吓唬。Nǐ zhè zhǒng xià hu rén de bǎxì piàn bù liǎo wǒ.That kind of scaring trick of yours won't fool me.
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