frightening
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frightening
Something that causes fear, shock, or great horror. It can also be used as an adverb to describe a high and disturbing degree.
Die Ergebnisse der Studie über die Umweltverschmutzung sind erschreckend.
The results of the study on environmental pollution are frightening.
'Erschreckend' is the present participle of the verb 'erschrecken' (to frighten). It describes something that actively causes fear or terror, meaning 'fear-inducing' or 'frightening'.
Er erzählte eine erschreckende Geschichte über Geister.
He told a frightening story about ghosts.
The word can stand before a noun as an adjective or be used as an adverb to intensify another adjective or a verb. As an adverb, it means 'to a shocking extent'.
Die Polizei fand eine erschreckende Menge an Beweisen.
The police found a frightening amount of evidence.
As an adverb, 'erschreckend' (frighteningly) is often combined with words that describe a scale, such as 'hoch' (high), 'niedrig' (low), 'viel' (much / a lot), 'wenig' (little), or 'schnell' (fast).
Er hat erschreckend wenig für die Prüfung gelernt.
He studied frighteningly little for the exam.
frightening
Both words describe something that triggers negative feelings. „Beängstigend“ tends to emphasize an ongoing feeling of threat, whereas „erschreckend“ can also highlight a sudden shock or intense horror. Use „beängstigend“ for lasting fear and „erschreckend“ for a shocking effect.
Die erschreckende Nachricht über den Unfall ließ alle lange schweigen.
The frightening news about the accident left everyone silent for a long time.
Der dunkle Weg durch den Wald war für die Kinder beängstigend.
The dark path through the forest was frightening for the children.
