Shows sudden fear, shock, or alarm. It’s what you’d send when something scary, intense, or wildly unexpected just happened.
Your roommate texts that a huge spider is on your bed.
DON’T. MOVE. I’m coming 😨
fearful face
😨fearful face
Definitions & examples
- Groups
- Subgroups
- Unicode
- U+1F628
- Variant status
- Fully-qualified
- Emoji version
- E0.6
Can also express nervous anticipation before something big, like an exam or a scary movie scene.
In Japanese chats, 😨 often blends with comic exaggeration, closer to an “びっくりした！” (“That scared me!”) reaction—more startled than truly terrified.
Don’t confuse 😨 with 😱; this one’s anxious or startled, not full screaming panic.
Compare picks
See what they share and how they differ to choose the right one.
Differences between 😨 (fearful face) and 😰 (anxious face with sweat)
Both are pale faces with wide eyes and a worried expression. 😨 conveys sudden shock and alarm. It registers a sharp, immediate fright that interrupts a moment. 😰 feels more lingering and tense, a sweaty, breathless anxiety that presses on the chest. It suggests ongoing nervousness and fatigue rather than a single jolt. The tone of 😰 is strained and apprehensive, quietly desperate rather than explosively startled. The emotional nuance of 😰 leans toward endurance and dread while 😨 points to an intense, brief panic.
Usage
You might use 😨 when something surprising and frightening just happened and you want to convey immediate shock. Use 😰 when you feel worried, stressed, or under pressure and want to express anxious concern rather than instant terror.
Differences between 😨 (fearful face) and 😦 (frowning face with open mouth)
Both show an open mouth and widened eyes, suggesting reaction. 😨 conveys sudden fear and shock. It feels immediate and intense, like alarm or panic. 😦 reads quieter and more reserved, a milder surprise or disappointment. The tone of 😦 is contemplative, a soft realization rather than full alarm. It signals concern without hysteria, a subdued emotional register that lingers rather than erupts.
Usage
You might send 😨 fearful face when something frightening or wildly unexpected happens and you need to convey alarm urgently. You might send 😦 frowning face with open mouth when you realize something is off or want to express mild shock or disappointment without causing panic.
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Related emojis that share similar meanings or usage.
😰
anxious face with sweat
Used when you’re scared, stressed, or under pressure. It’s the “oh no, this is bad” kind of panic—nervous, uneasy, and hoping things don’t get worse.
😦
frowning face with open mouth
Used to show mild shock, disappointment, or a moment of realization that something’s wrong. It’s like a quiet “oh…” when words fail — not full panic, just concern or surprise.
😱
face screaming in fear
Shows extreme shock, horror, or panic—like seeing a jump scare or hearing way too much drama. It’s the “AAAH!!” emoji, loud and theatrical.
😖
confounded face
Shows frustration, struggle, or emotional pain—like when something keeps going wrong and you just can’t deal anymore. It’s a “why is this happening to me?” kind of face.