危ない
abunai[a̠bɯ̟na̠i]
The Japanese word for dangerous is 危ない (abunai).
危ない is an adjective used to describe something that is causing danger or is ready to do harm or injury. It can also be used as an interjection to mean "Watch out!" or "Look out!" when an immediate danger is detected.
Meaning: causing danger, ready to do harm or injury (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
abunai
Did you know?
- The kanji for 'danger' in 危ない, which is 危, is composed of components that visually suggest a person standing precariously near a cliff or a high structure.
- In sports or gaming, 危ない can be used to mean 'close' or 'nearly', such as when a ball almost goes out of bounds or a player narrowly misses a goal.
- While 危ない warns of physical danger, if you want to describe a person who is 'dangerous' in a suspicious or shady sense, Japanese speakers often use 怪しい (ayashii), which means 'suspicious'.
Examples in context
- ここは危ないよ。It's dangerous here.This sentence is useful for noting that a specific location is dangerous using 危ない.Tatoeba #11597082 by small_snow, translation #1894589 by CK
- 危ないと思うよ。I think it's dangerous.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal opinion that something is dangerous using 危ない.Tatoeba #11633718 by small_snow, translation #2407942 by CK
- 火遊びは危ないよ。It's dangerous to play with fire.This sentence is useful for stating that an activity, like playing with fire, is dangerous using 危ない.Tatoeba #2996265 by tommy_san, translation #954075 by CK
- 明日の天気予報によると、山岳地帯は危険です。According to tomorrow's weather forecast, the mountainous areas are dangerous.
- 交差点での急な車の出入りは危ないですので、注意してください。Please be careful with the sudden traffic movement at the intersection as it's dangerous.
- この橋はヤバいよ！なるべく近寄らないで。This bridge is dangerous! Try to avoid getting too close.
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are walking near a steep cliff.
- 蓮 Renそこはとても危ないよ。Soko wa totemo abunai yo.That place is very dangerous.
- 美咲 Misaki本当だ、近づかないようにするね。Hontou da, chikazukanai you ni suru ne.You're right, I'll make sure not to go near it.
- 蓮 Ren足元に気をつけて。Ashimoto ni ki wo tsukete.Watch your step.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう、蓮くん。Arigatou, Ren-kun.Thanks, Ren.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 危ない, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
