危険
kiken[kʲi̥kẽ̞ɴ]
The Japanese word for danger is 危険 (kiken).
危険 refers to exposure to likely harm. In many contexts, it functions as a 'na-adjective', meaning it can modify other nouns directly by adding な.
Meaning: exposure to likely harm (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 危険 is a formal noun for 'danger', the adjective 危ない is much more common in daily speech to warn someone of immediate danger.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 危険 as an adjective meaning 'dangerous', you must add the particle な to the noun. To use it as a predicate meaning 'it is dangerous', you add だ to the noun.
How do you pronounce it?
kiken
Did you know?
- The kanji 危 in 危険 is composed of a character meaning 'roof' over a character meaning 'person', suggesting a person under a collapsing building.
- The adjective 危ない (abunai) can also be used as a slangy way to say 'that is amazing' or 'that is incredible' when someone is impressed by a feat.
- The term 危険信号 (kiken shingō), which literally means 'danger signal', is frequently used as a metaphor for a 'red flag' in social contexts, such as noticing bad signs in a romantic partner.
Examples in context
- 危険な真似はするな。Don't put yourself in danger.This sentence shows how to use 危険 to advise against dangerous behavior.Tatoeba #12829782 by small_snow, translation #12024374 by zogwarg
- 彼は危険な目に遭った。He was exposed to danger.This sentence shows how 危険 describes being exposed to a dangerous situation.Tatoeba #108673 by bunbuku, translation #295016 by CK
- トムは危険から逃れた。Tom escaped from the danger.This sentence uses 危険 to describe escaping from danger.Tatoeba #199966 by bunbuku, translation #37167 by CK
- ご注意ください。このエリアは危険です。Please be careful. This area is dangerous.
- 台風の接近により、注意が必要です。Caution is necessary due to the approaching typhoon.
- あの橋は危ないから、注意して渡ってください。Be careful when crossing that bridge because it's dangerous.
- 今、海の波がヤバいよ！The waves in the sea right now are dangerous!
- 52 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are hiking near a steep cliff.
- 健太 Kentaここから先は危険だよ。Koko kara saki wa kiken dayo.It is dangerous beyond this point.
- 結衣 Yui本当に？戻ったほうがいいかな。Hontō ni? Modotta hō ga ii kana.Really? I wonder if we should go back.
- 健太 Kentaうん、危険にさらされるのは避けよう。Un, kiken ni sarasareru no wa sakeyō.Yeah, let's avoid exposing ourselves to danger.
- 結衣 Yuiそうだね。そうしよう。Sō dane. Sō shiyō.You're right. Let's do that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “danger” translations and entries 危険, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
