驚
The story of 驚
scare, fright
驚 is composed of 敬 (respect) and 馬 (horse). 敬 is a pictograph of a hand holding a stick striking a kneeling slave, carrying the meaning of fear. Horses are naturally timid and easily startled.
Vocabulary of 驚
- 驚訝 (surprise)
- 吃驚 (startled)
- 虛驚 (false alarm)