The difference between 恐怖 and 恐惧
恐怖
The adjective 恐惧 
refers to the psychological state of a person who is afraid of something.
In this case, the subject is usually a person.
refers to the psychological state of a person who is afraid of something.
In this case, the subject is usually a person.Examples
遇到这样的事情，他恐惧极了
He was terrified to be faced with such a situation
yùdào zhèyàng de shìqing, tā kǒngjù jíle
他们最恐惧的事也许会变成现实
Their worst fears may come true
tāmen zuì kǒngjù de shì yěxǔ huì biànchéng xiànshí
恐惧 can also be used as a noun.
Examples
他从小就养成了对失败的恐惧
He grew up with a fear of failure
tā cóng xiǎo jiù yǎngchéng le duì shībài de kǒngjù
人往往对自己不懂的东西感到恐惧
People are often afraid of what they don't understand.
rén wǎngwǎng duì zìjǐ bù dǒng de dōngxi gǎndào kǒngjù
恐怖
The adjective 恐怖 refers to an object that causes fear.
In this case, the subject is usually inanimate.
refers to an object that causes fear.
In this case, the subject is usually inanimate.Examples
昨天的经历太恐怖了
Yesterday's experience was terrible
zuótiān de jīnglì tài kǒngbù le
那些恐怖场面深深地铭刻在他的心中
These horrible scenes were etched into his memory
nàxiē kǒngbù chǎngmiàn shēnshēn de míngkè zài tā de xīn zhōng
恐怖 can also be used as a noun "fear".
Examples
她年幼时就面临战争的恐怖
She faced the horrors of war at a young age
tā niányòu shí jiù miànlín zhànzhēng de kǒngbù
他的最新小说充斥着极端的恐怖和暴力
His latest novel is full of horror and violence
tā de zuì xīn xiǎoshuō chōngchìzhe jíduān dì kǒngbù hé bàolì
我坚决反对任何形式的恐怖主义
I am totally against terrorism in any form
wǒ jiānjué fǎnduì rènhé xíngshì de kǒngbù zhǔyì
恐怖 can also be used as part of the following words and phrases:
恐怖主义
恐怖袭击
恐怖分子
恐怖片
恐怖袭击
恐怖分子
恐怖片 Learn more