Proverb / Kotowaza
阿鼻叫喚
A scene of extreme suffering where people cry out in agony and desperation.
Screams of agony from the Avici hell
Quick Answer
A scene of extreme suffering where people cry out in agony and desperation.
- Literal Image
- Screams of agony from the Avici hell
- How to Use It
- Used to describe the state of a disaster site, a major accident, or a scene of intense panic and emotional distress where many people are wailing.
Meaning
This expression describes a horrific situation where people are overwhelmed by pain and misery, leading them to scream for help. It is used to depict chaotic and tragic scenes that resemble the suffering found in the depths of hell.
Literal Image
Screams of agony from the Avici hell
How to Use It
Used to describe the state of a disaster site, a major accident, or a scene of intense panic and emotional distress where many people are wailing.
Tone
A very serious and dramatic expression used for tragic or catastrophic events.
Examples
事故現場は負傷者のうめき声や助けを求める声が飛び交い、まさに阿鼻叫喚の地獄絵図だった。
The accident site was a hellish scene of screams, with the moans of the injured and cries for help filling the air.
突然の株価大暴落により、株式市場は阿鼻叫喚の様相を呈した。
The stock market descended into a scene of chaotic screaming following the sudden price collapse.
大地震の後、倒壊した家屋の下からは、阿鼻叫喚の声が聞こえてきた。
After the massive earthquake, the sounds of screams could be heard coming from beneath the collapsed houses.
人気アイドルの解散コンサートの最終日、会場はファンの阿鼻叫喚に包まれた。
The venue was filled with the desperate cries of fans on the final day of the popular idol group's farewell concert.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The expression uses specialized Buddhist terminology and is primarily found in literary contexts or news reports describing major incidents.
阿鼻
あび / abi
Avici (the lowest and most painful level of Buddhist hell)
叫喚
きょうかん / kyoukan
wailing; screaming in agony
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a very heavy term; avoid using it for minor inconveniences unless speaking humorously with close friends.
Misread Risk
Do not confuse the 'bi' (鼻) kanji with its literal meaning of 'nose'; in this context, it is a phonetic transcription of the Buddhist hell Avici.
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Origin
The term is rooted in Buddhist scripture. 'Abi' refers to the Avici Hell, the lowest level of the eight great hells where those who committed grave sins suffer continuous pain. 'Kyokan' refers to the act of screaming and also names the Screaming Hell (Raurava), where the suffering is so intense that inhabitants cannot help but cry out. The combination of these two names describes the horrific sight of people wailing under unbearable torture, which evolved into a metaphor for disastrous real-world situations.
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.