How to say "critical" in Japanese

• 重篤じゅうとくCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'critical' in the medical sense of a critical condition: gravely ill, with life at stake. Typical context: a doctor or medical report describing a patient's state as critical.
• 批判的ひはんてきCommon
  na-adjectiveCovers 'critical' as an attitude of judging or finding fault — a critical remark, look, or stance toward something. With its judgmental, censorious shades, it concerns evaluation, not physical danger.
  この記事きじはその問題もんだいについての調査ちょうさのやり方かたに批判的ひはんてきである。↗

  This article is critical of the way investigations are being made into the matter.
• 危なっかしいあぶなっかしいCommon
  i-adjectiveDescribes something that looks precarious, as if it could go wrong at any moment; its 'critical' is that unstable, borderline sense, colored by an observer's unease rather than by judgment or illness.
• 険悪けんあくCommon
  na-adjective, nounIts 'critical' is a threatening, stormy state of affairs: relations or an atmosphere that have soured and look headed for open trouble. Typical context: tension between people or groups worsening.
  事態じたいは険悪けんあくだ。↗

  The outlook is grim.
• 危ないあぶないJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveIts 'critical' is the sense of being in danger or in jeopardy: a person or situation at real risk of harm or failure. It fits whenever something is at risk, broadly applied.
  彼かれの命いのちが危あぶない。↗

  His life is in danger.

Choose 重篤 for a critically ill patient's condition, 批判的 for a critical attitude or judgment, and 「危なっかしい」, 険悪, or 「危ない」 for critical situations, according to whether things look precarious, threatening, or in danger.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 重篤じゅうとくcritical (condition)
• 批判的ひはんてきcritical
• 危なっかしいあぶなっかしいdangerous
• 険悪けんあくdangerous
• クリティカルcritical
• 危機的ききてきcritical
• 口やかましいくちやかましいnagging
• 口さがないくちさがないgossipy
• 危なかしいあぶなかしいdangerous
• 核心的かくしんてきcrucial
• 必要不可欠ひつようふかけつabsolutely essential
• 欠かせないかかせないindispensable
• 危ないあぶないin danger
• 臨界りんかいcritical (mass, pressure, temperature, state, point, etc.)
• 重いおもいserious (punishment, illness, etc.)