冒险

• Pinyin: mào xiǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 冒 = 冃 + 目 — to venture forth; 险 = 阜 (mound/terrain) + 佥 (all) — dangerous terrain

Meaning

To take a risk; to venture; an adventure. Doing something dangerous or uncertain for a purpose.

Can be used as a verb (to take risks) or noun (an adventure). Covers everything from physical danger to financial or social risk-taking. In positive contexts it implies courage and boldness; in negative contexts it implies recklessness.

Examples

1. 在没有充分调研的情况下贸然进入陌生市场，无异于商业冒险，极有可能血本无归。 Entering an unfamiliar market without thorough research is basically a business gamble, and you could very well lose everything.
2. 消防员每次执行救援任务都是在为他人的安全而冒险，这种无私精神令人敬佩。 Every rescue mission firefighters carry out is a risk they take for others’ safety, and their selflessness is deeply admirable.
3. 他喜欢在节假日参加极限运动，享受冒险带来的肾上腺素飙升的快感。 He likes to do extreme sports on holidays, enjoying the adrenaline rush that comes with adventure.

Usage Guide

Context: business, sport, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这次投资风险极大，他仍然决定冒险一试，结果出乎意料地取得了丰厚回报。(This investment carried enormous risk, yet he still decided to take the chance, and the result was an unexpectedly handsome return.)
• 面对险峻的山路，向导提醒队员不要轻易冒险，应遵循规定路线前行。(Faced with the treacherous mountain path, the guide reminded the team members not to take risks lightly and to follow the designated route.)

Don't Say

• 把'冒险'等同于纯粹的鲁莽行为 — 刻意强调不计后果时用'铤而走险' (Don't equate 冒险 with pure recklessness — use 铤而走险 when emphasising acting desperately without regard for consequences)

Origin & History

冒 (to venture, to brave) + 险 (danger, risk). Together meaning to venture into danger.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal