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verängstigt
frightened
In a state of fear or anxiety; filled with fear.
example
Das verängstigte Kind versteckte sich hinter seiner Mutter.
The frightened child hid behind his mother.
verängstigt
frightened
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
'Verängstigt' (frightened) is the past participle of the verb 'verängstigen' (to frighten). This verb means 'to make someone afraid.' The adjective therefore describes the state of a person or animal that has been made afraid.
EXAMPLE
Der laute Knall hat die Vögel verängstigt.
The loud bang frightened the birds.
Use in a sentence
You can use 'verängstigt' (frightened) in three ways: before a noun ('ein verängstigtes Tier' — a frightened animal), after a verb like 'sein' (to be) or 'wirken' (to seem) ('Das Tier ist verängstigt' — The animal is frightened), or as an adverb describing a verb ('Das Tier schaute verängstigt' — The animal looked frightened).
EXAMPLE
Ein verängstigter Hund bellte hinter dem Zaun.
A frightened dog barked behind the fence.
Typical collocations
The adjective is often used to describe the reaction of living beings to a threatening situation. Common combinations are 'verängstigte Kinder' (frightened children), 'verängstigte Tiere' (frightened animals), 'verängstigt aussehen' (to look frightened), or 'verängstigt wirken' (to seem frightened).
EXAMPLE
Die Katze saß verängstigt auf dem Baum und traute sich nicht herunter.
The cat sat frightened in the tree and didn't dare come down.
Compare with
verängstigt vs mutig
brave / bold
'mutig' and 'verängstigt' are opposites because they describe two different states in a difficult situation. Someone who is 'mutig' does not let fear stop them and acts anyway. Someone who is 'verängstigt' is currently filled with fear and seems unsure or startled. 'mutig' more often describes a quality or a behavior. 'verängstigt' more strongly describes the current state of a person, or also of an animal.
verängstigt
Nach dem lauten Knall saß der Hund verängstigt unter dem Tisch.
After the loud bang, the dog sat frightened under the table.
mutig
Vor dem wichtigen Gespräch bleibt Herr Weber ruhig und mutig.
Before the important conversation, Mr. Weber stays calm and brave.
In real life
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