Meaning
The kanji 危 (き) represents the core concept of "danger," "risk," or "peril." It's an essential character for anyone learning Japanese, as it describes hazardous or precarious situations, conditions, and actions. Understanding 危 allows you to grasp expressions related to safety, emergencies, and caution in everyday life, making it a crucial part of your JLPT N3 vocabulary.
Its origin offers a vivid illustration. The character 危 is often interpreted as a pictograph that evolved into a phono-semantic compound, visually combining two key elements. The radical, 厂 (がんだれ), depicts a cliff or a precipice, immediately suggesting a dangerous location.
The other component, which resembles 厄 (やく - misfortune, calamity), originally portrayed a kneeling person in a precarious position or someone trapped. This symbolized misfortune or difficulty. Together, these elements paint a powerful picture: a person standing precariously on the edge of a cliff, signifying extreme danger. This ancient depiction effectively conveys the core meaning of being in a perilous or risky situation, a meaning that has been carried through to modern Japanese.
With a stroke count of 6, 危 is a relatively simple kanji to write, yet its meaning is significant. As a Grade 6 kanji, it's taught to Japanese elementary school students in their sixth year, highlighting its importance in daily communication. For JLPT N3 learners, mastering 危 is vital. It allows you to discuss safety, health, and societal issues, and express complex ideas about potential hazards and urgent situations.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary on'yomi for 危 is キ (KI). This reading is used when 危 appears in compound words, often paired with other kanji to form more abstract or formal terms related to danger, crisis, or critical states. You'll commonly find these compounds in news, formal discussions, and academic contexts.
- 危機 (kiki) — This compound means "crisis" or "emergency." It refers to a turning point where a situation hangs in the balance, potentially improving or worsening.
Example: 経済危機 (keizai kiki) — economic crisis
- 危険 (kiken) — Meaning "danger," "hazard," or "risk." This is a very common word used to describe something that could cause harm.
Example: 危険物 (kikenbutsu) — dangerous goods
- 危篤 (kitoku) — This term describes a "critical condition" or "being on the verge of death," frequently used in medical contexts.
Example: 危篤状態 (kitoku jōtai) — critical condition
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi for 危 are more descriptive and often appear as part of verbs or adjectives, expressing danger in a direct and relatable way. These readings are widely used in everyday conversation.
- 危ない (abunai) — This common i-adjective means "dangerous," "hazardous," or "risky." It's frequently used as an exclamation to warn someone.
Example: 危ない！ (Abunai!) — Look out! / It's dangerous!
- 危うい (ayaui) — Another i-adjective, meaning "precarious," "narrow," or "nearly." It conveys a sense of being on the brink of danger or having a close call, often more literary or formal than あぶない.
Example: 危うい勝利 (ayaui shōri) — a narrow victory
- 危ぶむ (ayabumu) — This u-verb means "to fear," "to doubt," or "to apprehend." It describes the act of worrying about or feeling uncertain about something's safety or success.
Example: 安否を危ぶむ (anpi o ayabumu) — to worry about someone's safety
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 危 appears in numerous compound words across various contexts, highlighting different facets of danger and risk. Learning these compounds will greatly enrich your vocabulary for discussing safety and critical situations.
- 危機 (kiki) — crisis, emergency, turning point
- 危険 (kiken) — danger, hazard, risk
- 危ない (abunai) — dangerous, hazardous (adjective)
- 危うい (ayaui) — precarious, narrow, nearly (adjective)
- 危ぶむ (ayabumu) — to fear, to doubt, to apprehend (verb)
- 危篤 (kitoku) — critical condition, dying
- 危惧 (kigu) — apprehension, fear, concern
- 危急 (kikyuu) — urgency, emergency, critical moment
- 危地 (kichi) — critical situation, dangerous spot
- 危難 (kinan) — peril, disaster, calamity
- 危うく (ayauku) — narrowly, almost, barely (adverb, often indicating a close call)
- 危険性 (kikensei) — risk, hazardousness, potential for danger
- 危険区域 (kiken kuiki) — danger zone, hazardous area
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences using 危, demonstrating its use in various contexts from simple warnings to more complex expressions of risk and apprehension. Pay close attention to the different readings and how they are applied.
道が滑りやすいので危ないです。
Michi ga suberiyasui node abunai desu.
The road is slippery, so it's dangerous.
津波の危険がありますから、高台へ避難してください。
Tsunami no kiken ga arimasu kara, takadai e hinan shite kudasai.
There is a danger of a tsunami, so please evacuate to higher ground.
世界経済は今、新たな危機に直面しています。
Sekai keizai wa ima, aratana kiki ni chokumen shite imasu.
The world economy is currently facing a new crisis.
祖父は危篤の状態ですが、まだ意識があります。
Sofu wa kitoku no jōtai desu ga, mada ishiki ga arimasu.
My grandfather is in critical condition, but he is still conscious.
試験に落第するところを危うく免れた。
Shiken ni rakudai suru tokoro o ayauku manukareta.
I narrowly escaped failing the exam.
運転中のスマホ操作は大変危ないです。
Untenchū no sumaho sōsa wa taihen abunai desu.
Operating a smartphone while driving is extremely dangerous.
環境破壊の現状に多くの人々が危惧しています。
Kankyō hakai no genjō ni ōku no hitobito ga kigu shite imasu.
Many people are apprehensive about the current state of environmental destruction.
国際情勢は一触即発の危機にある。
Kokusai jōsei wa isshokusokuhatsu no kiki ni aru.
The international situation is on the brink of crisis.
子供が危ない場所へ行かないように注意しました。
Kodomo ga abunai basho e ikanai yō ni chūi shimashita.
I warned the children not to go to dangerous places.
災害時には、危急を要する対応が求められます。
Saigaiji ni wa, kikyuu o yōsuru taiō ga motomeraremasu.
In times of disaster, urgent responses are required.
Memory Tip
To remember 危, picture its components. The radical 厂 (がんだれ) clearly shows a "cliff" or "precipice." The interior part, which vaguely resembles a kneeling person, symbolizes "misfortune" or "peril." Imagine this person teetering dangerously close to the edge of a tall cliff. This vivid image immediately brings to mind the meaning of "danger" or "risk." The person is in a "dangerous" situation on the "cliff." This simple visual story helps connect the shape of the kanji to its core meaning, making it easier to recall.