threaten

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 脅 is read おどす, has 10 strokes, and relates to threats or intimidation.
• Basic usage: 脅し is read おどし, and 脅す is read おどす.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 脅し and 脅す
  • 脅し means threat or intimidation.
  • 探偵小説の手紙には脅しの言葉が書かれていた。 means “The letter in the detective novel contained a threat.”
  • 脅す means to threaten or to intimidate.
  • 男は秘密を話すと相手を脅した。 means “The man threatened the other person by saying he would reveal the secret.”