How to say "risky" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- i-adjectiveA colloquial word covering dangerous or risky situations of almost any kind, including figurative ones. Use it in casual conversation; it sounds too informal for careful written Japanese.
- 危ないあぶないi-adjectiveThe everyday word for dangerous or risky, especially physical danger or a situation that could easily lead to harm or an accident. It is the default choice in neutral contexts.
- i-adjectiveRisky in the sense of being on the edge or borderline — a situation that just barely avoids danger, failure, or impropriety. It fits narrow margins rather than ordinary physical danger.
Use 「危ない」 for physical danger or precarious situations, 「やばい」 in casual speech for anything dangerously bad, and 「きわどい」 for situations that come perilously close to the limit or edge of safety or acceptability.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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