intimidate

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 嚇 is used in the sense of intimidating others; its on-reading is かく.
• Basic usage: 威嚇(いかく) means intimidating or threatening someone.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Threatening through words and posture
  • In the scene where a cat arched its back and 威嚇した, its posture conveyed the threat. When a soldier loudly 威嚇する people, the voice is the means used.
  • The focus is on directing a threat at someone rather than simply feeling angry oneself.