This is the 16012th most frequent Russian word.
пугаются
"Пугаются" means "get scared" or "are frightened."
Here, 'пугаются' is used to describe the reaction of children to sudden auditory stimuli, exemplifying its use to denote a fear response.
Дети часто пугаются громких звуков.
Children are often frightened by loud sounds.
In this sentence, 'пугается' specifies a habitual emotional response to environmental noise in darkness, showing its application in personal sensitivity.
Она пугается каждого шороха в темноте.
She gets scared by every rustle in the dark.
This usage illustrates a general and common reaction to unexpected events, underscoring the verb's applicability in societal contexts.