Przeraејenie -

The concept of przerażenie is deeply woven into the Polish cultural identity, frequently appearing as a response to historical trauma and existential dread. PRZERAŻENIE in English - Cambridge Dictionary

While often used interchangeably in casual conversation, Polish psychology and linguistics draw sharp distinctions between these emotional states:

In the Polish language, is a state of being that transcends mere fear ( strach ) or anxiety ( lęk ). It represents a visceral, overwhelming terror—a complete paralysis of the soul often triggered by something unimaginable or incomprehensible. The Anatomy of Terror

An intensified state often marked by shock or dismay. It is the feeling that stops you in your tracks, often described in literature as "freezing the blood in one's veins". Cultural Reflections