危険な場所
kiken na basho
Dangerous place
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A essential phrase used to identify and warn others about locations that are unsafe or pose physical risks.
- Means: A location that is hazardous or unsafe for people to enter.
- Used in: Warning signs, travel advice, and describing construction zones or dark alleys.
- Don't confuse: Avoid using it for 'scary' (kowai) unless there is actual physical danger.
Explanation at your level:
Signification
A location that poses a risk of harm.
Contexte culturel
In Japan, you will often see 'Kiken' signs with a character called 'Ojigi-bito' (the bowing man), who apologizes for the danger or inconvenience of construction. The concept of 'Defensible Space' in urban planning often labels certain areas as 'dangerous places' to justify increased lighting and surveillance. Students often create 'Safety Maps' of their neighborhoods, identifying '{危険|きけん}な{場所|ばしょ}' like abandoned houses or blind corners. In Japanese internet slang, 'Kiken' can sometimes be used to describe 'spicy' or 'risky' content on social media.
Look for the Yellow
In Japan, 'Kiken' is almost always written on yellow backgrounds. If you see yellow and black stripes, you are likely near a 'kiken na basho'.
Don't forget the 'NA'
Saying 'Kiken basho' sounds like caveman speech. Always include 'na'!
Signification
A location that poses a risk of harm.
Look for the Yellow
In Japan, 'Kiken' is almost always written on yellow backgrounds. If you see yellow and black stripes, you are likely near a 'kiken na basho'.
Don't forget the 'NA'
Saying 'Kiken basho' sounds like caveman speech. Always include 'na'!
Use 'Abunai' for speed
If you see someone about to walk into danger, yell 'Abunai!' (Dangerous!) instead of the full phrase. It's faster and more effective.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing particle to complete the phrase.
{危険|きけん} ( ) {場所|ばしょ}
'Kiken' is a na-adjective, so it needs 'na' to modify the noun 'basho'.
Which sentence is the most natural warning for a child near a busy road?
Choose the best warning:
Roads are dangerous places, not safe, people, or delicious.
Match the Japanese phrase to its English translation.
Match the pairs:
Each adjective correctly modifies 'basho' to create a common description.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: {夜|よる}の{公園|こうえん}は ( ) ですか？ B: はい、{危|あぶ}ないですから{気|き}をつけてください。
The response mentions 'abunai' (dangerous), so the question must be asking if it is a 'kiken na basho'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Types of {危険|きけん}な{場所|ばしょ}
Nature
- • {崖|がけ} (Cliff)
- • {火山|かざん} (Volcano)
- • {急|きゅう}な{川|かわ} (Fast river)
Urban
- • {工事|こうじ}{現場|げんば} (Construction site)
- • {暗|くら}い{路地|ろじ} (Dark alley)
- • {廃屋|はいおく} (Abandoned house)
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsIt's neutral. It's not overly formal, but 'Abunai tokoro' is definitely more common in casual chats.
Yes, but 'Bussou na basho' (unsettling/crime-prone place) is more specific for that context.
Because 'Kiken' is a na-adjective (adjectival noun), not a pure noun.
Yes, that means 'a dangerous person.' The grammar is the same.
Expressions liées
{安全|あんぜん}な{場所|ばしょ}
contrastA safe place
{危|あぶ}ない{所|ところ}
similarA dangerous spot/place
{立入|たちいり}{禁止|きんし}
builds onNo Entry
{避難|ひなん}{場所|ばしょ}
specialized formEvacuation site
Où l'utiliser
Warning a child
Parent: {道路|どうろ}で{遊|あそ}んじゃだめ！{危険|きけん}な{場所|ばしょ}だよ。
Child: はーい、ごめんなさい。
Hiking with friends
Friend A: {崖|がけ}の{近|ちか}くは{危険|きけん}な{場所|ばしょ}だから、{離|はな}れよう。
Friend B: そうだね。あっちの{道|みち}に{行|い}こう。
Asking a hotel clerk
Tourist: この{近|ちか}くに{危険|きけん}な{場所|ばしょ}はありますか？
Clerk: いいえ、この{辺|あた}りはとても{安全|あんぜん}ですよ。
Construction site worker
Worker: {危険|きけん}な{場所|ばしょ}ですので、{入|はい}らないでください。
Pedestrian: わかりました。すみません。
News report
Reporter: {台風|たいふう}の{影響|えいきょう}で、{海岸|かいがん}は{非常|ひじょう}に{危険|きけん}な{場所|ばしょ}になっています。
Anchor: みなさん、{絶対|ぜったい}に{近寄|ちかよ}らないでください。
Talking about a bad neighborhood
Local: あのエリアは{夜|よる}、{危険|きけん}な{場所|ばしょ}になるんだ。
Visitor: えっ、そうなの？{気|き}をつけるよ。
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Kicking' (Kiken) a 'Box' (Basho) in a dangerous place. You shouldn't kick boxes in dangerous places!
Visual Association
Imagine a bright yellow sign with a black exclamation mark standing on the edge of a crumbling cliff. The sign says 'KIKEN' in big letters.
Rhyme
Kiken na basho, don't you go!
Story
A traveler arrives at a dark forest. A local villager points and says, 'Kiken na basho!' The traveler sees a person on a cliff (危) and a steep mountain (険) and decides to turn back to a safe spot (場所).
Word Web
Défi
Look up 'Kiken' signs on Google Images and try to identify three different types of 'basho' (places) where they are used.
In Other Languages
Lugar peligroso
The adjective usually follows the noun in Spanish, whereas it precedes it in Japanese.
Endroit dangereux
French requires gender agreement for the adjective (dangereux/dangereuse).
Gefährlicher Ort
German adjectives change endings based on case, gender, and number.
危险的地方 (Wēixiǎn de dìfāng)
Chinese uses the particle 'de' (的) instead of 'na' (な).
مكان خطر (Makan khatir)
Arabic is written right-to-left and the adjective follows the noun.
위험한 장소 (Wiheomhan jangso)
The pronunciation and script are different, but the logic is the same.
Lugar perigoso
Similar to Spanish, the adjective follows the noun.
Dangerous place
English doesn't distinguish between 'na-adjectives' and 'i-adjectives'.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up 'dangerous' (physical risk) with 'scary' (emotional feeling).
If you might get hurt, use 'kiken'. If you feel fear (like from a ghost), use 'kowai'.
Using 'basho' (place) when referring to a person.
Remember that 'basho' is only for locations. Use 'hito' or 'jinbutsu' for people.
FAQ (4)
It's neutral. It's not overly formal, but 'Abunai tokoro' is definitely more common in casual chats.
Yes, but 'Bussou na basho' (unsettling/crime-prone place) is more specific for that context.
Because 'Kiken' is a na-adjective (adjectival noun), not a pure noun.
Yes, that means 'a dangerous person.' The grammar is the same.
