Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use '{危険|きけん}です' to warn someone that a situation or place is physically or socially dangerous.
- Means: It is dangerous/risky.
- Used in: Warning about traffic, unstable areas, or risky activities.
- Don't confuse: '危ない' (abunai) is more common in casual speech.
Explicación a tu nivel:
Significado
To describe a place or situation as posing a risk or threat.
Contexto cultural
Safety is a cultural value. Using '{危険|きけん}' shows you are being responsible. In many cultures, warnings are direct. In Japan, they are often framed as objective facts.
Use for signs
If you are writing a sign, always use 危険. It looks professional.
Use for signs
If you are writing a sign, always use 危険. It looks professional.
Ponte a prueba
Which sentence is more formal?
A: ここは危ないよ。 B: ここは危険です。
B uses the Sino-Japanese word and polite copula, making it formal.
🎉 Puntuación: /1
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
2 ejerciciosA: ここは危ないよ。 B: ここは危険です。
B uses the Sino-Japanese word and polite copula, making it formal.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Preguntas frecuentes
1 preguntasYes, you can say 'あの人は危険です' (That person is dangerous).
Frases relacionadas
危ない
synonymDangerous
注意
similarCaution
安全
contrastSafe
Dónde usarla
Construction Site
Worker: すみません、ここは{危険|きけん}です。
Visitor: わかりました。{戻|もど}ります。
Travel Advice
Guide: あの{道|みち}は{危険|きけん}です。
Tourist: そうですか。ありがとうございます。
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of a 'Key' (ki) that is 'Ken' (ken) and sharp—it's dangerous!
Asociación visual
Imagine a bright yellow sign with the kanji {危険|きけん} on it, blocking a path to a cliff.
Story
Ken was walking in the mountains. He saw a sign that said '{危険|きけん}です'. He ignored it and almost fell. Now he always remembers the sign.
In Other Languages
Similar to 'Danger' in English or 'Peligro' in Spanish. It is a universal concept of warning.
Word Web
Desafío
Write down 3 things in your room that are definitely NOT '{危険|きけん}です'.
Review in 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, and 1 month.
Pronunciación
Ki-ken. Keep the 'n' sound at the end clear.
Espectro de formalidad
この{場所|ばしょ}は{危険|きけん}です。 (Warning someone about a location.)
ここは{危険|きけん}です。 (Warning someone about a location.)
ここ、危ないよ。 (Warning someone about a location.)
ここ、やばい。 (Warning someone about a location.)
Derived from the kanji {危|き} (steep/danger) and {険|けん} (precipice).
Dato curioso
The kanji {険|けん} is also used in the word {保険|ほけん} (insurance), which literally means 'protecting against danger'.
Notas culturales
Safety is a cultural value. Using '{危険|きけん}' shows you are being responsible.
“工事現場の看板には必ず「危険」と書かれています。”
In many cultures, warnings are direct. In Japan, they are often framed as objective facts.
“「危険です」 is a fact, not just an opinion.”
Inicios de conversación
What is a dangerous place in your city?
Is it dangerous to drive here?
Errores comunes
危ないです (Abunai desu)
危ないです (Acceptable but less common than '危ない！')
L1 Interference
危険なです (Kiken na desu)
危険です (Kiken desu)
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Es peligroso.
Japanese has a specific distinction between formal (kiken) and casual (abunai) that Spanish doesn't emphasize as strictly.
C'est dangereux.
French uses 'C'est' which is less formal than the Japanese 'desu' in this context.
Es ist gefährlich.
German grammar requires the verb 'ist' (is), whereas Japanese 'desu' is a copula.
إنه خطير (Innahu khatir).
Arabic has a stronger sense of 'gravity' or 'seriousness' attached to the word 'khatir'.
危ないです (Abunai desu).
Kiken is for objective, formal warnings; Abunai is for subjective, immediate warnings.
Spotted in the Real World
“このエリアは危険です。”
Reporting on a landslide area.
Fácil de confundir
Learners use them interchangeably.
Use 'Kiken' for signs/formal, 'Abunai' for talking.
Preguntas frecuentes (1)
Yes, you can say 'あの人は危険です' (That person is dangerous).
usage contexts
