How do you say "dangerous" in Japanese?

危険な

kiken na

Adjective Kanji

In Japanese, "dangerous" is 危険な (kiken na).

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Pronunciation

危険な is written using kanji. Romanised as kiken na, it sounds roughly like "kee-keh-n-nah" to an English ear.

Writing and usage

Kiken na (危険な) is a na-adjective with the kanji 危 meaning danger or peril. Japanese warning signs frequently use this word, making it practical vocabulary for safety contexts.

Example sentence

あの道はとても危険です。

Ano michi wa totemo kiken desu.

That road is very dangerous.

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How to remember 危険な

The kanji 危 has a person radical and suggests vulnerability. Picture someone in a precarious position on the edge of a cliff.

Related words

Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.

See more Japanese adjectives.

Questions about 危険な

How do you pronounce 危険な?

危険な is romanised as kiken na. Say it roughly like "kee-keh-n-nah" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.

Is 危険な formal or casual?

危険な is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.

How is 危険な written in Japanese?

危険な is written using kanji. Kiken na (危険な) is a na-adjective with the kanji 危 meaning danger or peril.

Where can I practice Japanese words for free?

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"Dangerous" in other languages

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