危ない

• Reading: あぶない
• Romaji: abunai
• Kanji breakdown: 危 (abu/ki) — danger, peril, risk
• Pronunciation: /a.bɯ.na.i/

Meaning

Dangerous; risky; hazardous. Used to warn about unsafe situations.

An i-adjective meaning dangerous or perilous. Frequently shouted as a warning: 危ない! (Watch out!). Can describe physical danger (危ない場所 = dangerous place) or precarious situations. Conjugates regularly: 危なくない, 危なかった. The related noun 危険 (kiken) is more formal.

Examples

1. この道は夜は危ないです。 This road is dangerous at night.
2. 危ない！車が来ますよ。 Watch out! A car is coming!
3. 子どもには危ないおもちゃを買わないでください。 Please don't buy dangerous toys for children.

Usage Guide

Context: safety, warnings, daily life

Tone: urgent

Origin & History

The kanji 危 depicts a person on a cliff edge, vividly conveying the sense of danger. It has been used in Japanese since ancient times as a warning word.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal