ho2 bou3可怖

Jyutpingho2 bou3

Yalehó bou

形容詞Rare

Definition

Terrifying, horrible, or frightening.

writtendescriptionsemotion

How it's used

While 可怖 is a valid adjective, it sounds quite literary or formal in spoken Cantonese. Most locals prefer using the more natural and punchy phrase 得人驚 to describe something scary or terrifying in everyday conversation. Using 可怖 often gives the impression that you are reading from a book or watching a dramatic news report.

Examples

go2嗰go3個gwai2鬼gu2故zan1真hai6係hou2好ho2可bou3怖aa4呀。

That ghost story is really terrifying.

nei5你gin3見dou2到go2嗰go3個ho2可bou3怖ge3嘅waa2畫min2面mei6未aa4呀？

Have you seen that terrifying scene yet?

Common phrases

min6面muk6目ho2可bou3怖

hideous appearance

ho2可bou3怖ge3嘅ging2景zoeng6象

a terrifying sight

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 可怕, which is more commonly used for situations that are frightening or daunting. 可怖 specifically emphasizes a sense of horror or dread, often related to something grotesque or visually disturbing.