French · Emotions & Descriptions
"Scared (afraid)" in French: effrayé(e)
effrayé(e)
Note: "I'm scared": j'ai peur
Scared in French as an adjective is effrayé for a man and effrayée for a woman : je suis effrayé(e). Everyday speech often prefers j'ai peur, but the headword here is effrayé(e).
After a horror film
J'étais vraiment effrayé à la fin.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce effrayé(e)
Say it
eh-freh-YAY
/e.fʁɛ.je/
Eh-freh-YAY. Double f, and ay like ay in "say". Feminine effrayée sounds similar with a slightly longer end.
"Scared (afraid)" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| effrayé | scared (m.) Masculine form. | Masculine form. |
| effrayée | scared (f.) Feminine form. | Feminine form. |
| être effrayé(e) | to be scared With être. | With être. |
| un bruit effrayant | a scary noise Related adjective -ant. | Related adjective -ant. |
How to use effrayé(e) in real life
- 1After a horror film
J'étais vraiment effrayé à la fin.
I was really scared at the end.
Effrayé masculine.
- 2Stormy night
Le chien est effrayé par le tonnerre.
The dog is scared by the thunder.
Être effrayé par.
- 3Someone admitting fear
Elle est effrayée de rester seule.
She is scared of staying alone.
Effrayée feminine.
Mistakes English speakers make with effrayé(e)
Incorrect: Je suis effrayé de peur.
Correct: Je suis effrayé. / J'ai peur.
Don't stack both. Pick effrayé or j'ai peur.
Incorrect: Ils sont effrayé.
Correct: Ils sont effrayés.
Agree in number: effrayés.
Good to know
News and literature use effrayé for stronger fright. In chat with friends, j'ai trop peur is more common ; keep effrayé when you want the adjective itself.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Walking home after a loud bang
ChatPal
T'as vu ? J'étais effrayé une seconde.
Did you see that? I was scared for a second.
You
Moi aussi, j'étais effrayée. C'était un pétard.
Me too, I was scared. It was a firecracker.
ChatPal
Bon. On accélère un peu.
Okay. Let's walk a bit faster.
You
Oui, jusqu'à la place éclairée.
Yes, as far as the lit square.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Scared (afraid)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Scared (afraid)" in French
When do I use effrayé vs j'ai peur?
Both mean scared. J'ai peur is more everyday; effrayé(e) is the adjective form.
How does gender work?
Effrayé (m.), effrayée (f.), effrayés / effrayées in the plural.
How do I say scared by something?
Être effrayé(e) par…
How do you pronounce effrayé?
Eh-freh-YAY.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- Ordering Food in French: Essential Phrases for 2026Ordering food in french - Learn how to confidently order food in French with real-life phrases and tips for 2026 travelers
- 10 Best French Speaking Practice Apps for 2026Find the best French speaking practice app to build fluency. We review 10 top tools like ChatPal for conversation, travel prep, and building confidence in 2026.
