scared
- adj. 害怕的, 惊慌的
- Definition
- adj. feeling fear or worry about something dangerous or unpleasant
- Example
- The little boy was scared of the loud thunderstorm last night.
- 昨晚那场雷雨很吵，小男孩被吓到了。
Synonyms & Differences 近义词辨析
Compared meaning: feeling fear or afraid (adjective).
比较义项：感到害怕、恐惧（形容词）。
- afraid
The most common, neutral word for feeling fear; typically followed by 'of' or a to-infinitive, used equally in speech and writing.
最常见、最中性的表示“害怕”的词，后面常接of或不定式（to do），口语和书面语中都很常用。
She admitted she was afraid to speak in front of the whole class.
她承认自己害怕在全班面前讲话。
- scared 本词
More informal and emotionally stronger than afraid, often describing a sudden or startled fear, especially with children or physical reactions.
比afraid更口语化，情绪更强烈，常表示突然受到惊吓的感觉，尤其用于描述孩子或身体反应（如尖叫、发抖）。
The kids screamed, scared by the sudden loud bang.
孩子们尖叫起来，被突然的巨响吓到了。
- fearful
More formal and literary than afraid, often describing ongoing worry or apprehension about something that might happen, rather than sudden fright.
比afraid更正式、书面化，常表示对未来可能发生的事情持续的担忧或不安，而不是突然的惊吓。
Investors grew fearful that the economy might collapse soon.
投资者开始担心经济可能很快崩溃。
Afraid, scared, and fearful all mean feeling fear, but strength differs. Afraid is the most common and neutral. Scared is more informal, often describing sudden or startled fear. Fearful is more formal, often describing ongoing worry. Afraid can also mean 'sorry', a sense not compared.
这三个词都表示“感到害怕”，但语气强弱和使用场合不同：afraid最常见、最中性；scared更口语化，强调突然或强烈的惊吓感；fearful更正式、书面化，常表示持续的担忧或不安。这里不比较afraid表示“恐怕，很遗憾”的用法（如I'm afraid I can't come）。