冒険
bōken[bo̞ːkẽ̞ɴ]
The Japanese word for adventure is 冒険 (bōken).
冒険 refers to a daring feat or a bold undertaking where one is likely to encounter danger, and the outcome depends on unforeseen events and risks.
Meaning: daring feat, a bold undertaking, in which dangers are likely to be encountered, and the issue is staked upon unforeseen events and the encountering of risks (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 冒, meaning to risk or venture and 険, meaning steep or dangerous.
How does it change in a sentence?
Additionally, you can express an 'adventurous spirit' or a 'sense of adventure' by adding the suffix 心 (shin) to the word.
How do you pronounce it?
bōken
Did you know?
- The character 冒 in 冒険 is also used in the word for 'blasphemy' or 'irreverence' (冒涜), linking the idea of adventure to the act of defying boundaries or norms.
- While 冒険 is the standard word for 'adventure', Japanese gamers use the loanword アドベンチャー (adobenchā) specifically to describe a genre of narrative-driven story games.
- In Japanese popular culture, 冒険 is frequently paired with the word for 'companion' (仲間), emphasizing that a daring feat is a shared social bond rather than a solitary pursuit.
Examples in context
- 彼は冒険好きだ。He is fond of adventure.This sentence shows how to say someone is fond of adventure using 冒険.Tatoeba #99980 by bunbuku, translation #303717 by CM
- 彼は冒険が好きです。He likes adventure.This sentence shows how to express liking adventure using 冒険.Tatoeba #99983 by bunbuku, translation #303714 by CK
- 人生は冒険に満ちている。Life is full of adventure.This sentence describes life being full of adventure using 冒険.Tatoeba #143974 by KK_kaku_, translation #270592 by shekitten
- ウィリアムズさんは毎年いくつかの冒険を計画しています。Mr. Williams plans several adventures every year.
- その小説は史上最大の冒険についての物語です。The novel is a story about the greatest adventure ever.
- その探検家は、未踏の島々を冒険しました。The explorer ventured to uncharted islands.
- 世界中を探検することが私の夢です。Exploring the world is my dream.
- この冒険に一緒に行きませんか？Do you want to go on this adventure together?
- 一番の冒険は人生そのものです。The greatest adventure is life itself.
- 今日はハチャメチャな冒険が待っているよ！Today, a crazy adventure awaits!
- 友達とのハチャメチャな冒険は最高の思い出だった。The wild adventure with my friends was the best memory.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Himari are discussing a trip to a remote mountain.
- 陽太 Yota今回の旅は、最高の冒険になりそうだね。Konkai no tabi wa, saikou no bouken ni narisou da ne.This trip looks like it will be the best adventure.
- 陽葵 Himari本当だね。でも、準備をしっかりしよう。Hontou da ne. Demo, junbi o shikkari shiyou.It really will. But let's prepare thoroughly.
- 陽太 Yota危険もあるけど、それが冒険の醍醐味だよ。Kiken mo aru kedo, sore ga bouken no daigomi da yo.There are risks, but that's the real thrill of an adventure.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太は本当に楽観的だね。Youta wa hontou ni rakkanteki da ne.Yota, you are truly optimistic.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 冒険, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
