遇险

• Pinyin: yù xiǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 遇 = 辶 + 禺 (movement + encounter); 险 = 阝(阜) + 佥 (hill/mound + everyone fearful together — steep dangerous terrain, hence peril)

Meaning

To encounter danger; to be in peril; to face a life-threatening situation. Unlike 遇难, the person survives or the outcome remains uncertain.

Used in contexts of natural disasters, maritime emergencies, mountaineering accidents, and other dangerous situations. 遇险人员 (people in distress) and 脱险 (to escape from danger) are common collocates. Formal in register and frequently appears in rescue operation reports and news bulletins.

Examples

1. 搜救队在暴风雪第三天找到六名雪山遇险的登山者，并安全转移下山。 On the third day of the blizzard, the rescue team found six climbers in distress on the snow-covered mountain and safely evacuated them down to safety.
2. 这艘渔船在突如其来的台风中严重受损，船长立即向海事局发出遇险信号，附近过往的货轮随后调转航向前往施救，将全体船员安全转移上船。 This fishing boat was severely damaged in a sudden typhoon, and the captain immediately sent a distress signal to the maritime authority; a nearby cargo ship changed course to assist and safely transferred all crew members aboard.
3. 演习预案专门模拟士兵在复杂地形中遇险的情景，训练快速自救互救。 The drill plan specifically simulates soldiers getting into danger in complex terrain, training them to quickly perform self-rescue and mutual aid.

Usage Guide

Context: rescue operations, news, emergency management, outdoor activities

Tone: urgent

Do Say

• 海岸警备队接到报告后立即出动直升机和救援艇，赶赴事发海域对遇险船员展开全面搜救，历经十四小时终将所有人员安全营救上岸。(The coast guard immediately dispatched helicopters and rescue boats upon receiving the report, rushing to the waters where the incident occurred to carry out a comprehensive search and rescue for the crew in distress; after fourteen hours, all personnel were safely brought to shore.)
• 专业的山野急救培训课程着重强调，遇险者在等待救援期间应优先保存体力、维持体温，并通过可见的信号手段持续向外界标示自身位置。(Professional wilderness first aid training courses place particular emphasis on the fact that people in danger while awaiting rescue should prioritise conserving physical strength and maintaining body temperature, and should continuously mark their position to the outside world through visible signalling means.)

Don't Say

• 我今天遇险了，差点被车撞到 — 遇险 is reserved for genuinely life-threatening emergency situations; for minor near-misses or everyday scares use 险些出事 (almost had an accident), 差点出事 (nearly got hurt), or 虚惊一场 (a false alarm) instead

Origin & History

遇 (to encounter) + 险 (danger/peril — 阜mound/hill + 佥everyone together in fear — a dangerous cliffside). Together: to come face-to-face with danger.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal