> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://blog.lingodeer.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Get Spooky in Korean, Japanese, and Chinese - URL: https://blog.lingodeer.com/scary-words-in-japanese-chinese-korean/ - Published: 2022-10-27T03:29:10.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-04T01:22:59.000Z - Author: blogger deer - Tags: Culture & Travel, Learn Chinese, Learn Japanese, learn korean, Learn Languages, #Migrated-1785499243338, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-31 12:01 'Tis the season for scary costumes, carved pumpkins, and frightening amounts of candy! But Halloween wouldn't be complete without some spooky words. So in today's article, let's learn some scary expressions in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese! ## Quick Answer: Get Spooky in Korean, Japanese, and Chinese Seasonal “scary” vocabulary is easiest to retain through themed groups and example sentences. Check register and cultural associations rather than assuming direct translations carry the same tone. | Topic | Key point from this guide | | --------- | -------------------------------------------------- | | Section 1 | How to say "Boo!" in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean | | Section 2 | Scary words in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean | | Section 3 | Taboo numbers in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean | *Editorial note:* This summary is extracted from the examples and explanations in the original article; it does not replace their context and usage notes. ## How to say "Boo!" in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean While in western cultures, "Boo" sounds more or less similar (like "Bouh" in French and "Buh" in German), Asian societies seem to prefer starting the scary sound with the sound of "w" or "h". | Japanese | ワッ! (watu) | | -------- | --------------- | | Korean | 와! (wa) | | Chinese | 吓！（hè）/ 嘿！(hèi) | Unlike "boo", these words don't express disapproval or contempt. However, they can be used in other situations like when feeling surprised, startled, or trying to get someone's attention. ## Scary words in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean The phrase 剪头 (jiǎn tóu) may sound pretty scary at first (to cut head), but actually it means cut hair in Chinese. Similarly, in the Korean phrase 머리 자르다 (meo ri ja reu da), 머리 (meo ri) actually means hair 머리카락 (meo ri ka rak) rather than head. This expression is quite commonly used especially in oral language. So don't be surprised when you hear someone say "나 오늘 머리 잘랐어.” (I got my hair cut today.) or “你需要剪头吗？” (Do you need a haircut?) However, there are indeed some taboos related to cutting hair. In Ancient China, people kept long hair because they believed hair and skin are gifts from parents and should be treated with respect. Even today, Chinese people believe it's bad fortune (especially for your maternal uncle) if you cut hair during the first month in Chinese new year. Some dish names in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese also sound quite scary, but only at first sight. Take a look! | | name | image | Literal meaning | Actual meaning | | ------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | | JP | 親子丼 (Oyakodonburi) | ![A bowl of oyakodon with chicken, egg, and rice](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1a/04/1a0403d3-6352-4489-b286-d9de13f43972/content/images/2026/07/parent-child-jpeg.jpg) | Parent and child in a bowl | Scrambled eggs and chicken over rice | | きつねうどん (Kitsune Udon) | ![A bowl of kitsune udon topped with fried tofu](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1a/04/1a0403d3-6352-4489-b286-d9de13f43972/content/images/2026/07/udon-jpeg.jpg) | Fox udon noodle | Udon noodle with deep-fried tofu | | | KR | 할머니 뼈 해장국 (hal meo ni ppyeo hae jang guk) | ![A bowl of Korean pork-bone soup](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1a/04/1a0403d3-6352-4489-b286-d9de13f43972/content/images/2026/07/grandmas-bone-soup-jpeg.jpg) | Grandma’s Bone soup | Pig’s bone soup made by an old lady | | 눈깔 사탕 (nun kkal sa tang) | ![Colorful round hard candies](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1a/04/1a0403d3-6352-4489-b286-d9de13f43972/content/images/2026/07/ball-shaped-candy-jpeg.jpg) | Eyeball candy | Ball-shaped candy | | | 엄마손 파이 (eom ma son pa i) | ![Rectangular pieces of Korean pastry](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1a/04/1a0403d3-6352-4489-b286-d9de13f43972/content/images/2026/07/eommason-pai-jpeg.jpg) | Mom’s hand pie | Mom’s (handmade) pie | | | CN | 老婆饼 | ![Chinese wife cakes with a glazed pastry crust](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1a/04/1a0403d3-6352-4489-b286-d9de13f43972/content/images/2026/07/laopobing-jpeg.jpg) | Wife pie | Sweet pie with pastry and filling | | 夫妻肺片 | ![A plate of fuqi feipian in spicy red oil](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1a/04/1a0403d3-6352-4489-b286-d9de13f43972/content/images/2026/07/fuqifeipian-jpeg.jpg) | Husband and wife lung slices | Sliced beef in chili sauce | | ## Taboo numbers in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Like the number 13, the number 4 is considered very unlucky in many Asian societies including China, Japan, and Korea. This is because the sound of the number 4 (sì) sounds a lot like the word for death – 死 (sǐ). Because of the [influence of the Chinese language](https://blog.lingodeer.com/hanzi-kanji-hanja/), Japanese and Korean also consider 4 as unlucky. The number 4 has two pronunciations in Japanese (*shi* and *yon*). People avoid using shi because of its similarity to 死 (*shi*). In Korean, the number 4 also sounds like the hanja for "death" (사). As a result, elevators and hotels sometimes use other signs to represent the number four or entirely skip it. In Korea, the fourth floor is sometimes labelled "F". If an apartment contains multiple 4 (like 404), its value is also likely to be affected. In Japanese, the number nine (九 *ku*) is also considered unlucky. Because it sounds like 苦 (suffering, agony or torture). Therefore, there are also two readings for nine – *ku* and *kyu*. ## How to say trick or treat in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Generally, trick or treat is not a popular thing in all 3 Asian cultures. With people living in high-rise buildings, it's also quite inpossible. However, just like Christmas, Halloween is getting more and more popular in Ancien societies. Young people love putting on festive costumes or carving their own pumpkins. In Chinese, "trick or treat" is translated into 不给糖，就捣蛋 (*Bù gěi táng, jiù dǎodàn*), which literally means "will be naughty if no candy". Japanese language directly borrowed the English words using [katakana](https://blog.lingodeer.com/katakana-chart/): トリック オア トリート (torikko oa torrito). The same is for Korean using 트릭 오어 트릿 (teulig o-eo teulis). There you go! Happy Halloween everyone! Don't forget to keep your day streaks ^ з^ --- **Recommended reading:** - [Chinese vs Japanese vs Korean, which is the hardest?](https://blog.lingodeer.com/chinese-japanese-korean/) - [Kanji, Hanja, and Hanzi, what's the difference?](https://blog.lingodeer.com/hanzi-kanji-hanja/) - [Happy 5th Birthday, LingoDeer!](https://blog.lingodeer.com/lingodeer-5-birthday/) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What should readers focus on first? Start with the article’s core explanation and one practical example before expanding. ### Is every detail universal? No. Usage, register, regional variation and current policies may require additional context. ### How should this be practised? Use short examples, active recall and repeated exposure rather than reading once. ### Where should changing information be checked? Use current official or primary sources for dates, rankings, availability and formal requirements. *Scope:* These answers summarize this article. Language varies by context, speaker and region, so consult the full examples before applying an expression.