How to say "hazardous" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 危ないあぶないi-adjectiveCovers hazardous in the sense of physically dangerous. It suits warnings about a place or activity where someone could be hurt, and on its own it serves as a cry of "Look out!".
- 有害ゆうがいna-adjective, nounCovers hazardous in the sense of harmful, especially to health: the hazard lies in the harm something causes, as with substances that damage the body, rather than in the risk of an accident.
- i-adjectiveReally means risky rather than hazardous: something borderline, on the edge, where the outcome could go either way. It suits touch-and-go situations and is usually written in kana alone; a marginal match for hazardous.
Choose 「危ない」 for hazardous meaning physically dangerous, 有害 for hazardous meaning harmful to health, and 「きわどい」 only when the sense is risky or borderline rather than outright hazardous.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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