冒険|ぼうけんbouken[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbadventure; venture
    何なんの冒険ぼうけんもしないなら、何なんも得えられない。↗
    Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
  2. noun, na-adjective, suru verb, intransitive verbventure which is unlikely to succeed; risky attempt; danger; hazard; risk
Conjugation
Dictionary form冒険する(ぼうけんする)
Polite (masu)冒険します(ぼうけんします)
Negative (nai)冒険しない(ぼうけんしない)
polite (masen)冒険しません(ぼうけんしません)
classical zu / nu冒険せず・冒険せぬ(ぼうけんせず・ぼうけんせぬ)
Past (ta)冒険した(ぼうけんした)
polite (mashita)冒険しました(ぼうけんしました)
Past negative (nakatta)冒険しなかった(ぼうけんしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)冒険しませんでした(ぼうけんしませんでした)
Te form冒険して(ぼうけんして)
Potential冒険できる(ぼうけんできる)
Passive冒険される(ぼうけんされる)
Causative冒険させる(ぼうけんさせる)
Causative passive冒険させられる(ぼうけんさせられる)
Conditional (ba)冒険すれば(ぼうけんすれば)
tara冒険したら(ぼうけんしたら)
Volitional冒険しよう(ぼうけんしよう)
polite (mashou)冒険しましょう(ぼうけんしましょう)
Imperative冒険しろ(ぼうけんしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • SynonymアドベンチャーNeutralLoanword mostly seen in game and film genres or product names; in everyday speech 「冒険」 is the normal word.
  • Related綱渡りつなわたりNeutralLiterally tightrope walking; figuratively a risky, thin-ice situation where one barely keeps balance. 「冒険」 stresses actively daring to try.
  • Related賭けかけCasualColloquial. Gambling, or figuratively an all-or-nothing gamble with an uncertain outcome; 「冒険」 stresses the daring of the attempt itself.
  • Related冒すおかすWrittenWritten/formal verb for braving danger, as in 「危険を冒す」; 「冒険」 is the noun for the risky act itself.
  • Related賭けるかけるNeutralVerb meaning to stake or wager something, as in 「命を賭ける」; stresses putting something important on the line as the price.
  • RelatedリスクNeutralLoanword for risk itself, as in 「リスクが高い」; 「冒険」 is the act of taking that risk.
  • Related賭するとするWrittenWritten/formal verb for staking one's life or the like, as in 「命を賭して」; more solemn than 「賭ける」.
  • Antonym安全あんぜんNeutralSafety, the state of being free from danger; the direct opposite of risk-taking 「冒険」.
  • Antonym無難ぶなんNeutralA safe, unremarkable choice that avoids mistakes, as in 「無難な選択」; the opposite of a bold attempt like 「冒険」.

Use 「冒険」 for an adventure or a risky undertaking. 「リスク」 names the risk itself, 「賭け」 an all-or-nothing gamble, and 「綱渡り」 a precarious balancing act. As verbs, 「冒す」 braves danger, while 「賭ける」 and 「賭する」 stake something precious. The opposites are 「安全」 and 「無難」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 大おおきな利益りえきや達成感たっせいかん、爽快感そうかいかんなどを得えるために、危険きけんを承知しょうちで行おこなうこと。
  2. 成功せいこうの見込みこみの少すくないことをあえて行おこなうこと。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android