noun
terror, fright
B1
Schrecken (der) means terror or fright, indicating sudden fear or dread. Common phrases: vor Schrecken (from fright) and jemanden in Schrecken versetzen (to terrify someone). Masculine noun; plural Schrecken. Regular declension; genitive singular des Schreckens. Used for both emotional shock and dramatic description.
Examples
Der Gedanke an Krieg erfüllte die Menschen mit Schrecken.
The thought of war filled people with terror.
Der Anblick der Unfallstelle löste großen Schrecken aus.
The sight of the accident scene caused great shock.
Die Nachricht versetzte die Familie in großen Schrecken, weil niemand mit so einer schnellen Entwicklung gerechnet hatte.
The news caused great alarm in the family because no one had expected such a rapid development.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a dark scene labeled 'Schrecken' (terror) with big, dramatic letters.
Think of 'shreck-en' — a stronger form of Schreck, like 'shocking'.
DER Schrecken — picture a masculine figure representing terror.
Notes
Schrecken is a stronger or more literary term than Schreck and can imply terror or deep fear. It is also used in fixed phrases and literary contexts.