危険 في 30 ثانية
- Kiken means danger or risk, used formally as a noun or na-adjective.
- It is more objective and serious than the common word 'abunai'.
- You will see it on warning signs (e.g., 'Danger: Keep Out').
- It applies to both physical hazards and abstract risks like financial loss.
The Japanese word 危険 (kiken) is a cornerstone of safety-related vocabulary, representing the concept of 'danger' or 'peril' in its most objective and formal sense. Derived from two powerful kanji—危 (dangerous/fearful) and 険 (steep/precipice)—it paints a linguistic picture of standing on the edge of a sharp cliff. In modern Japanese, it functions as both a noun and a na-adjective, making it incredibly versatile for describing environments, behaviors, and abstract risks.
- Objective Danger
- Unlike the more subjective 'abunai', kiken refers to a factual state of hazard. It is the word you see on industrial signs, warning labels, and official reports.
- Grammatical Versatility
- It can be used as 'kiken na' (dangerous) to modify nouns or 'kiken' (danger) as a standalone noun in sentences like 'kiken ga semaru' (danger approaches).
この川で泳ぐのは非常に危険です。(Swimming in this river is extremely dangerous.)
To understand kiken, one must appreciate the Japanese emphasis on public safety and collective awareness. In a society where 'Anzen' (Safety) is a top priority in every workplace, kiken serves as the necessary antithesis. It is not just about a 'scary' situation; it is about a 'measurable risk'. When a scientist discusses a chemical reaction, they use kiken. When a mountain climber assesses a path, they use kiken. It carries a weight of authority and seriousness that everyday adjectives lack.
危険：立入禁止 (Danger: Keep Out)
- Physical Danger
- Relates to bodily harm, such as fire, electricity, or falling objects.
- Abstract Risk
- Relates to financial loss, social scandal, or political instability.
Furthermore, kiken is often paired with other kanji to create specific compound words. For instance, kiken-butsu (hazardous materials) or kiken-yochi (hazard prediction). These terms are vital in professional Japanese environments. Understanding kiken is the first step toward navigating the complex world of Japanese safety protocols and formal communication. It is a word that demands attention and respect whenever it is uttered or read.
Using 危険 (kiken) correctly requires an understanding of its dual nature as a noun and a na-adjective. In its adjective form, it follows the standard pattern of adding 'na' before a noun. For example, 'kiken na michi' (a dangerous road). When used as a noun, it often acts as the subject or object of a sentence, or combines with particles like 'no' or 'ni'.
彼は危険な仕事を引き受けた。(He took on a dangerous job.)
In formal settings, you will frequently see kiken used in the structure '[Noun] + no + kiken' to mean 'the danger of [Noun]'. For example, 'shippai no kiken' (the danger of failure). This is a very common way to express risk in business or academic writing. Unlike 'abunai', which is an i-adjective and can be used as an exclamation, kiken is rarely used as a sudden shout unless it is part of a pre-planned warning signal.
- Adjective Usage
- [Noun] + wa + kiken + desu. (The [Noun] is dangerous.)
- Noun Usage
- Kiken + o + kanjiru. (To feel danger.)
When discussing degrees of danger, you can use adverbs like 'hijou ni' (extremely) or 'kanari' (quite). 'Hijou ni kiken' is a standard phrase used in weather warnings or safety advisories. Additionally, in the workplace, the phrase 'Kiken Yochi' (Hazard Prediction) is a specific methodology used to prevent accidents, often abbreviated as 'KY'. This shows how deeply the word is embedded in professional systems.
You will encounter 危険 (kiken) in a variety of high-stakes or formal environments. It is ubiquitous in public infrastructure. If you walk near a construction site in Tokyo, you will see yellow and black signs with the word 'KIKEN' in bold, often accompanied by a skull or a warning triangle. It is also a staple of news broadcasts, particularly during natural disasters like typhoons or earthquakes.
「土砂崩れの危険があります。避難してください。」(There is a danger of landslides. Please evacuate.)
In the world of entertainment, particularly in action anime or thrillers, characters might use 'kiken' to describe a formidable opponent or a high-risk mission. However, even in these contexts, it retains a level of gravity. It’s the word used by the strategist, while the person in the middle of the fight might yell 'Abunai!'.
- Public Announcements
- Train stations, airports, and parks use it to warn about platform gaps or deep water.
- Professional Reports
- Medical, financial, and legal documents use it to quantify risk factors.
The most frequent mistake learners make is confusing 危険 (kiken) with 危ない (abunai). While both mean 'dangerous', they are not interchangeable in every situation. 'Abunai' is an adjective that can be used as an exclamation ('Watch out!'), whereas 'Kiken' is a noun/na-adjective that describes a state. You cannot just yell 'Kiken!' when someone is about to be hit by a ball; it sounds robotic and unnatural.
❌ 窓から身を乗り出すのは危ないです。(Not wrong, but less formal)
✅ 窓から身を乗り出すのは危険です。(Better for a formal sign)
Another mistake is the grammatical treatment of 'kiken'. Because it is a na-adjective, learners sometimes forget the 'na' when modifying a noun. Saying 'kiken hito' is incorrect; it must be 'kiken na hito'. Furthermore, learners often over-rely on 'kiken' for small, everyday risks. If you are talking about a spicy sauce being 'dangerous' for your tongue, 'abunai' or 'karasugiru' is better. 'Kiken' implies a level of serious harm or systemic risk.
- Mistake: Particle Omission
- Saying 'Kiken hito' instead of 'Kiken na hito'.
- Mistake: Wrong Context
- Using 'Kiken!' as a sudden warning shout in place of 'Abunai!'.
To truly master 危険 (kiken), you must understand its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. The Japanese language has several ways to express risk, each suited to a specific context. The most common alternative is 危ない (abunai), which is more colloquial and subjective. If you feel a sense of immediate personal threat, you use 'abunai'.
- 恐れ (osore)
- Means 'fear' or 'risk of'. Often used in formal weather reports: 'Tsunami no osore ga arimasu' (There is a risk of a tsunami).
- 危機 (kiki)
- Means 'crisis'. This is used for large-scale situations like a 'financial crisis' (kin'yuu kiki) or a 'life-or-death crisis'.
- 物騒 (bussou)
- Used to describe a neighborhood or a time that is 'unsettled' or 'dangerous' due to crime or social unrest.
この辺りは夜になると物騒だ。(This area becomes dangerous/unsettled at night.)
There is also the loanword リスク (risuku). While 'kiken' implies a negative outcome that should be avoided, 'risuku' is often used in business and finance to mean a 'calculated risk'—something that might lead to either loss or gain. In a casino, you take a 'risuku', but walking into a burning building is 'kiken'. Understanding these distinctions allows for much more precise communication in Japanese.
How Formal Is It?
مستوى الصعوبة
قواعد يجب معرفتها
Na-adjective modifiers (~na + noun)
Noun + no + kiken (The danger of...)
Verb (dictionary form) + no wa kiken desu
Kiken ni sarasu (Exposing to danger)
Osore ga aru (There is a risk/fear that...)
أمثلة حسب المستوى
ここは危険です。
This place is dangerous.
Simple [Noun] wa [Adjective] desu structure.
危険な所に行かないでください。
Please do not go to dangerous places.
Kiken na + Noun (Adjective usage).
それはとても危険です。
That is very dangerous.
Using 'totemo' to intensify the adjective.
火は危険です。
Fire is dangerous.
General statement about a noun.
危険！立入禁止。
Danger! Keep Out.
Noun used as a standalone warning.
この薬は危険ですか？
Is this medicine dangerous?
Question form.
危険な動物がいます。
There are dangerous animals.
Kiken na + Noun + ga imasu.
夜の道は危険です。
The road at night is dangerous.
Describing a specific condition (night).
この川で泳ぐのは危険です。
Swimming in this river is dangerous.
Verb nominalization (no wa) + kiken.
危険な仕事はしたくないです。
I don't want to do dangerous work.
Expressing desire with kiken na + Noun.
彼は危険な運転をします。
He drives dangerously.
Kiken na + Noun (unten).
危ない！そこは危険だよ。
Watch out! That place is dangerous.
Combining 'abunai' (exclamation) and 'kiken' (description).
危険を感じたら、すぐに逃げてください。
If you feel danger, please run away immediately.
Kiken (noun) + o kanjiru (to feel).
冬の山はとても危険です。
Mountains in winter are very dangerous.
Describing seasonal hazards.
このおもちゃは小さい子供には危険です。
This toy is dangerous for small children.
[Target] + ni wa + kiken.
危険な場所には看板があります。
There are signs in dangerous places.
Kiken na basho (common phrase).
その計画には多くの危険が伴います。
That plan involves many dangers.
Kiken (noun) + ga tomonau (to involve/accompany).
彼は危険を冒して、子供を助けました。
He risked danger and saved the child.
Kiken o okasu (to take a risk/brave danger).
この化学物質は非常に危険です。
This chemical substance is extremely dangerous.
Technical/Formal context.
台風が近づいているので、外出は危険です。
Since a typhoon is approaching, going out is dangerous.
Using 'node' to give a reason.
危険物取扱者の資格を持っています。
I have a qualification for handling hazardous materials.
Kiken-butsu (Hazardous materials) compound.
情報の漏洩は大きな危険です。
The leakage of information is a great danger.
Abstract danger (information security).
投資には常に危険がつきものです。
Danger is always inherent in investment.
Kiken ga tsukimono (danger is a constant companion).
危険を避けるために、ルールを守りましょう。
To avoid danger, let's follow the rules.
Kiken o yokeru (to avoid danger).
その地域の治安が悪化し、危険性が高まっています。
The public safety in that area has worsened, and the level of danger is increasing.
Kiken-sei (danger/riskiness) + ga takamaru.
安易な判断は、組織を危険にさらすことになります。
Easy judgments will end up putting the organization in danger.
Kiken ni sarasu (to expose to danger).
この建物は老朽化しており、倒壊の危険があります。
This building is aging and there is a danger of collapse.
[Noun] + no kiken (danger of...).
彼は自らの命を危険にさらしてまで、真実を追求した。
He pursued the truth even to the point of putting his own life in danger.
Inochi o kiken ni sarasu (idiomatic).
政府は、そのウイルスが拡散する危険を警告した。
The government warned of the danger of the virus spreading.
Formal reporting structure.
危険を察知した動物たちは、一斉に逃げ出した。
The animals, having sensed danger, all fled at once.
Kiken o satchi suru (to sense/perceive danger).
この投資信託は、元本割れの危険があります。
This investment trust has the risk of falling below the principal.
Financial terminology.
現場では、常に危険予知活動が行われています。
At the site, hazard prediction activities are always being carried out.
Kiken Yochi (KY) - industrial term.
独裁政権の誕生は、民主主義にとって重大な危険である。
The birth of a dictatorial regime is a grave danger to democracy.
Political/Abstract discourse.
安易なAIの導入は、倫理的な危険を孕んでいる。
The easy introduction of AI harbors ethical dangers.
Kiken o haramu (to be fraught with/harbor danger).
その政策は、経済の安定を損なう危険性を秘めている。
That policy hides the potential to damage economic stability.
Kiken-sei o himeru (to hide a potential danger).
科学の進歩は、常に未知の危険との隣り合わせである。
Scientific progress is always side-by-side with unknown dangers.
Kiken to no tonariawase (side-by-side with danger).
彼は、その行動がもたらす危険を過小評価していた。
He underestimated the danger that his actions would bring.
Kiken o kashou hyouka suru (to underestimate danger).
環境破壊がこのまま進めば、人類の存続が危険に瀕する。
If environmental destruction continues like this, the survival of humanity will be in peril.
Kiken ni hinsuru (to be on the verge of peril).
この条約には、主権を侵害される危険が含まれている。
This treaty includes the danger of sovereignty being infringed.
Legal nuance.
不確実な未来において、現状維持こそが最大の危険かもしれない。
In an uncertain future, maintaining the status quo might be the greatest danger.
Philosophical observation.
存亡の機に際し、彼は一か八かの危険な賭けに出た。
At the moment of life or death, he made a high-stakes, dangerous gamble.
Literary/High-level expression.
その言説は、社会の分断を煽る危険なポピュリズムに基づいている。
That discourse is based on a dangerous populism that fans social division.
Sociological analysis.
核兵器の拡散は、地球規模の破滅的危険を孕んでいる。
The proliferation of nuclear weapons harbors a global, catastrophic danger.
Geopolitical discourse.
彼の思想は、既存の権力構造を根底から覆す危険を秘めていた。
His ideology hid the danger of overturning the existing power structure from its roots.
Historical/Intellectual context.
金融システムの脆弱性は、連鎖的な破綻の危険を露呈させた。
The vulnerability of the financial system exposed the danger of chain-reaction failures.
Economic systemic risk.
生命倫理の軽視は、取り返しのつかない危険を招きかねない。
Disregarding bioethics could potentially lead to irreversible dangers.
Scientific ethics.
その外交交渉は、一歩間違えれば戦争という極限の危険を孕んでいた。
Those diplomatic negotiations were fraught with the extreme danger of war if a single step was missed.
Diplomatic nuance.
真理の探究には、自己のアイデンティティを喪失する危険が伴う。
The quest for truth involves the danger of losing one's own identity.
Existential philosophy.
تلازمات شائعة
العبارات الشائعة
يُخلط عادةً مع
تعبيرات اصطلاحية
سهل الخلط
Crisis (a turning point) vs. Danger (a state).
Literary/Poetic 'perilous' vs. Common 'dangerous'.
Steep/Grim (physical/facial) vs. Dangerous (state).
Unsettled/Crime-ridden vs. General danger.
Calculated/Business risk vs. General harm.
أنماط الجُمل
كيفية الاستخدام
The kanji for 'kiken' are also found in 'insurance' and 'steep', linking it to risk management and physical terrain.
Kiken is formal; Abunai is informal.
Abunai is often a feeling; Kiken is a fact.
- Using 'kiken' as a sudden exclamation.
- Forgetting the 'na' in 'kiken na'.
- Using 'kiken' for 'scary' (kowai).
- Using 'kiken' for spicy food (use 'karai' or 'abunai').
- Confusing 'kiken' (danger) with 'kigen' (mood/origin).
نصائح
Don't over-formalize
In casual conversation with friends, use 'abunai'. 'Kiken' can sound a bit too stiff if used while just hanging out.
The 'Na' is key
Always remember 'kiken na' when describing a noun. 'Kiken michi' is a common mistake for beginners.
Cliff Mnemonic
Both kanji in kiken contain elements related to cliffs or steepness. Visualize a cliff to remember the word.
Point and Call
In Japan, safety is active. If you see a 'kiken' sign, acknowledge it mentally or physically to stay safe.
Compound Power
Learn 'kiken' as part of compounds like 'kiken-chitai' (danger zone) to expand your vocabulary quickly.
Sign Recognition
Look for the red or yellow background. In Japan, 'kiken' is almost always highlighted in these colors.
Formal Essays
Use 'kiken-sei' when you want to discuss the 'degree of risk' in a formal piece of writing.
Pitch Accent
Keep your voice level. Kiken is a flat-sounding word (Heiban), so don't stress any particular syllable.
Context Clues
If you hear 'kiken' on a train, look around. It's usually a warning about the gap or a closing door.
Sino-Japanese
Because it's a Kango (Chinese-origin) word, it sounds more 'official' than the native Japanese 'abunai'.
احفظها
ربط بصري
Think of the yellow and black 'KIKEN' signs found all over Japan near construction sites.
أصل الكلمة
Sino-Japanese (Kango)
السياق الثقافي
The term 'Kiken Unten' (Dangerous Driving) carries very heavy legal penalties in Japan.
Japanese danger signs often use cute mascots to deliver serious warnings, a phenomenon known as 'safety kawaii'.
The 'KYT' (Kiken Yochi Training) is a famous Japanese methodology exported globally.
تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية
سياقات واقعية
بدايات محادثة
"日本で一番危険な場所はどこだと思いますか？ (Where do you think is the most dangerous place in Japan?)"
"危険なスポーツに興味がありますか？ (Are you interested in dangerous sports?)"
"最近、危険を感じたことはありますか？ (Have you felt danger recently?)"
"仕事で危険なことはありますか？ (Are there dangerous things in your work?)"
"子供の頃、どんな危険なことをしましたか？ (What dangerous things did you do as a child?)"
مواضيع للكتابة اليومية
人生で一番危険だった経験について書いてください。 (Write about the most dangerous experience in your life.)
「危険を冒すこと」のメリットとデメリットは何ですか？ (What are the pros and cons of 'taking risks'?)
あなたの国で最も危険な動物は何ですか？ (What is the most dangerous animal in your country?)
インターネットの危険性についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about the dangers of the internet?)
安全と危険のバランスについて考えてみましょう。 (Think about the balance between safety and danger.)
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNo, use 'kowai'. 'Kiken' implies physical or objective harm, not an emotional state.
It is both. It's a 'na-adjective' (kiken na) and a 'Sino-Japanese noun'.
'Abunai' is for immediate reactions and everyday talk. 'Kiken' is for formal warnings and objective risks.
Usually '高圧危険' (Kouatsu Kiken) or just '危険' (Kiken).
Yes, 'kiken na hito' means a dangerous person (e.g., a criminal or someone unpredictable).
Yes, but for financial risk, 'risuku' is more common. 'Kiken' is used for safety and legal risks.
It means 'hazardous materials' like explosives or toxic chemicals.
Yes, but 'abunai yo!' is much more common and natural for parents to say.
It is a safety training method ('Hazard Prediction') used in Japanese workplaces.
Mostly, but it can also mean abstract harm like 'danger to democracy' or 'danger of failing'.
اختبر نفسك 180 أسئلة
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Kiken is the 'official' word for danger in Japan. While 'abunai' is for immediate reaction, 'kiken' is for describing the inherent risk of a situation, place, or action in a formal or professional manner.
- Kiken means danger or risk, used formally as a noun or na-adjective.
- It is more objective and serious than the common word 'abunai'.
- You will see it on warning signs (e.g., 'Danger: Keep Out').
- It applies to both physical hazards and abstract risks like financial loss.
Don't over-formalize
In casual conversation with friends, use 'abunai'. 'Kiken' can sound a bit too stiff if used while just hanging out.
The 'Na' is key
Always remember 'kiken na' when describing a noun. 'Kiken michi' is a common mistake for beginners.
Cliff Mnemonic
Both kanji in kiken contain elements related to cliffs or steepness. Visualize a cliff to remember the word.
Point and Call
In Japan, safety is active. If you see a 'kiken' sign, acknowledge it mentally or physically to stay safe.
مثال
危険な場所です。
محتوى ذو صلة
مزيد من كلمات Other
事故
A1حدث غير متوقع وعادة ما يكون غير سار يؤدي إلى أضرار أو إصابات. يستخدم في أغلب الأحيان لحوادث المرور.
根拠
B2يشير إلى الأسباب أو الأساس أو الأدلة التي يستند إليها حكم أو بيان أو فعل. يتم استخدامه لوصف التبرير الأساسي أو الأساس المنطقي الذي يدعم ادعاءً أو نظرية.
変化
A1اسم يشير إلى عملية التحول أو التغير في الحالة أو المظهر أو الظروف، ويستخدم بشكل شائع في مختلف المجالات.
衝突
A1اصطدام جسدي أو حادث. ويعني أيضًا تضارب في الآراء أو الجداول الزمنية.
比較
B1عملية فحص شيئين أو أكثر لتحديد أوجه التشابه والاختلاف.
結論
B2قرار نهائي أو حكم يتم التوصل إليه بعد فترة من المناقشة أو التفكير المنطقي.
考慮
A1تشير كلمة 'كاريو' إلى فعل التفكير العميق في عوامل مختلفة قبل اتخاذ القرار.
転換
A1تغيير كبير في الاتجاه أو الحالة. 'تحتاج الشركة إلى تحول (転換) في السياسة.'
危機
A1أزمة أو وضع حرج. نقطة تحول حيث يمكن أن تسوء الأمور.
基準
A1معيار أو مقياس أو نقطة مرجعية تستخدم كأساس للحكم. هذا المنتج يلبي معايير السلامة.
