Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Filled with terror; panic-stricken: Describes a state of sudden, overwhelming fear that causes a loss of self-control, often due to an unexpected threat or danger.

Usage

• As an adjective: Used to describe a person, animal, or group experiencing sudden, intense fear.
  • Con ngựa hoảng sợ chạy lồng lên. (The panic-stricken horse bolted.)
  • Đứa trẻ hoảng sợ khi thấy con chó lớn. (The child was terrified when he saw the big dog.)
  • Cô ấy có vẻ mặt hoảng sợ. (She had a terrified look on her face.)

Advanced Usage

• Used in a compound verb form: While "hoảng sợ" itself is an adjective, it can describe the state resulting from the action "hoảng" (to panic). The phrase describes the condition of being in a panic.
  • Sau vụ nổ, mọi người đều hoảng sợ. (After the explosion, everyone was in a state of panic.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hoảng (verb): To panic, to be startled. This is the root action.
  • Đừng hoảng! (Don't panic!)
• Khiếp sợ (adjective/verb): To be terrified, to dread. Implies a deeper, more profound fear.
• Kinh hãi (adjective): Horrified, appalled. Often implies shock and disgust mixed with fear.

Synonyms

• Sợ hãi: To be afraid, fearful. (A more general term for fear.)
• Khiếp đảm: To be terrified, filled with dread.
• Bối rối: Flustered, confused. (Focuses more on confusion than pure fear.)

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: As an adjective, "hoảng sợ" does not form phrasal verbs. The related action is conveyed by the verb "hoảng".) - Làm cho hoảng sợ: To frighten, to terrify (someone). - Tiếng động lạ làm cho nó hoảng sợ. (The strange noise terrified it.)

Related Idioms

• Mặt tái mét vì hoảng sợ: (Face) pale with terror.
  • Cô ấy đứng đó, mặt tái mét vì hoảng sợ. (She stood there, her face pale with terror.)
• Hoảng sợ đến mức chân tay run lẩy bẩy: To be so terrified that one's hands and feet are trembling.
  • Nghe tin dữ, bà ta hoảng sợ đến mức chân tay run lẩy bẩy. (Upon hearing the bad news, she was so terrified that her hands and feet were trembling.)

adjective

1. filled with terror; panic-stricken