脅かします（おびやかします、obiyakashimasu）
- to threaten

The Japanese word 脅かします, read as おびやかします, means "to threaten," "to endanger," "to intimidate," or "to jeopardize." It implies an action or situation that poses a danger or risk to something or someone, causing fear or apprehension. The action involves creating a sense of insecurity or vulnerability, often through the potential for harm or damage. The word emphasizes the act of creating a threat, not just the state of being threatened. It can be used in both literal and figurative senses. This word is a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object. This direct object is the thing that is being threatened or endangered. For example, the object may be someone’s life, reputation, etc.

⚫︎その嵐は街を脅かします。 Translation: The storm threatens the city. ⚫︎彼は私を脅かします。 Translation: He threatens me. ⚫︎この病気は私たちの健康を脅かします。 Translation: This disease endangers our health.

You use 脅かします when you want to describe an action or situation that poses a threat to someone or something. It’s suitable for expressing danger, risk, or intimidation. You would use it in situations where something is put at risk or in danger of being harmed. This word is generally used in more formal settings, though it is not too formal and can be used in general conversation. You can use it in a variety of contexts, such as: ⚫︎ Describing natural disasters or environmental issues. ⚫︎ Describing acts of violence or intimidation. ⚫︎ Discussing health risks. ⚫︎ Describing risks to a company or business. Be mindful of the direct object. Always clarify what is being threatened.

脅かします is typically written in kanji, with the reading in hiragana: 脅（おびや）かします. The verb stem is 脅（おびや）かす. The okurigana (hiragana following the kanji) is かします. Other conjugations include: ⚫︎ 脅（おびや）かす (dictionary form) ⚫︎ 脅（おびや）かさない (negative present) ⚫︎ 脅（おびや）かした (past tense) ⚫︎ 脅（おびや）かします (present polite form)

⚫︎ 脅迫（きょうはく）する (to threaten, to coerce) - More formal and directly implies threats. ⚫︎ 危険（きけん）にさらす (to put at risk, to expose to danger) - Focuses on the act of putting something in danger. ⚫︎ 危（あぶ）なくする (to endanger) - Similar to 脅（おびや）かす, but can be less strong. ⚫︎ 害（がい）する (to harm, to damage) - Emphasizes the negative impact.

⚫︎ 守（まも）る (to protect, to defend) ⚫︎ 救（すく）う (to save, to rescue) ⚫︎ 助（たす）ける (to help, to assist)

テロは人々の安全を脅かします。 ・Translation: Terrorism threatens people's safety. ・Explanation: This sentence demonstrates how 脅かします is used to describe a threat to a fundamental aspect of life.

経済危機は企業の存続を脅かします。 ・Translation: The economic crisis threatens the survival of businesses. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates how 脅かします is used in a business context to express a threat to a company.

The kanji 脅 means "threat" or "intimidation." The verb comes from the verb stem 脅（おびや）かす. The word’s etymology indicates that the action involves creating fear, or threatening someone. It's related to the feeling of being frightened or scared, as the word evokes an atmosphere of fear and apprehension, originating from the potential for harm or damage.