Meaning
The kanji 険 means steep, precipitous, dangerous, and harsh. Picture a sheer cliff face, a jagged mountain pass, a narrow gorge — 険 captures terrain that actively resists you. The meaning reaches beyond geography: 険 also describes a stern face, a hostile atmosphere, or an ordeal that wears you down.
The character has two components. On the left, the radical 阝 (こざとへん) derives from 阜, meaning a mound or raised earthen bank. It marks many kanji connected to terrain and elevation. On the right, 僉 (せん) serves mainly as a phonetic element hinting at the ケン reading. Its secondary connotations of sharpness quietly reinforce the image of a jagged, unforgiving landscape.
The traditional Chinese form is 險; simplified Chinese uses 险. All three share the same core meaning. In Japanese, 険 is a Jōyō kanji taught in 5th grade and tested at JLPT N3. It has 11 strokes. The adjective 険しい (けわしい) can describe a steep trail, a stern expression, a tense room, or an exhausting stretch of circumstances — the range makes it worth learning early.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi is ケン. Virtually all compound words use this reading — formal writing, daily conversation, signs, and vocabulary lists alike. When 険 pairs with another kanji, default to ケン.
- 危険 (kiken) — danger, hazard, risk. One of the most common words in the language; you will see it on warning signs, in news reports, and in everyday speech. Example: この道は危険です。(This road is dangerous.)
- 冒険 (bōken) — adventure, daring venture. Literally "to brave danger." Common in stories, games, and casual conversation. Example: 冒険の旅に出る。(To set out on an adventure.)
- 保険 (hoken) — insurance. Literally "to preserve against danger." Essential vocabulary for adult life — health insurance, car insurance, life insurance.
- 険悪 (ken'aku) — threatening, hostile, ominous. Describes a dangerous atmosphere or a relationship that is going badly.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi is けわ.しい (kewashii), used when 険 stands alone as an i-adjective. The dot marks where the kanji reading ends and the inflectional ending begins.
- 険しい (kewashii) — steep, precipitous; also stern or severe in expression or mood. Example: 険しい山道を登る。(To climb a steep mountain path.)
- 険しさ (kewashisa) — steepness, severity (noun form).
Common Words & Compounds
険 turns up across a wide range of high-frequency compounds. The groups below are organized by theme.
Safety & Risk
- 危険 (kiken) — danger, risk, hazard
- 険悪 (ken'aku) — threatening, hostile atmosphere
- 冒険 (bōken) — adventure, daring enterprise
- 保険 (hoken) — insurance
Terrain & Nature
- 険しい山 (kewashii yama) — a steep, rugged mountain
- 険しい崖 (kewashii gake) — a sheer cliff
- 険峻 (kenshun) — extremely precipitous (formal/literary)
Expressions & Atmosphere
- 険しい顔 (kewashii kao) — a stern, grim expression
- 険しい目 (kewashii me) — a sharp, piercing gaze
- 険しい口調 (kewashii kuchō) — a harsh tone of voice
Additional Compounds
- 要険 (yōken) — strategic stronghold, fortified position
- 天険 (tenken) — natural barrier, naturally fortified terrain
Example Sentences
この山道はとても険しくて、初心者には危険です。
Kono yamamichi wa totemo kewashikute, shoshinsha ni wa kiken desu.
This mountain trail is very steep and dangerous for beginners.
彼は険しい顔で私を見た。
Kare wa kewashii kao de watashi wo mita.
He looked at me with a stern expression.
冒険が大好きな子供は、毎日新しいことに挑戦する。
Bōken ga daisuki na kodomo wa, mainichi atarashii koto ni chōsen suru.
A child who loves adventure tries something new every day.
健康保険に加入することはとても大切です。
Kenkō hoken ni kanyū suru koto wa totemo taisetsu desu.
Enrolling in health insurance is very important.
ふたりの関係は険悪になってしまった。
Futari no kankei wa ken'aku ni natte shimatta.
Things turned hostile between the two of them.
険しい崖を登るのは危険なので、やめてください。
Kewashii gake wo noboru no wa kiken nanode, yamete kudasai.
Climbing a sheer cliff is dangerous — please don't.
その旅は冒険に満ちていて、私たちは多くのことを学んだ。
Sono tabi wa bōken ni michite ite, watashitachi wa ōku no koto wo mananda.
That journey was packed with adventure, and we learned a great deal.
先生の口調が険しくなったとき、教室は静かになった。
Sensei no kuchō ga kewashiku natta toki, kyōshitsu wa shizuka ni natta.
The moment the teacher's tone turned sharp, the classroom went quiet.
険しい道を歩き続けることで、頂上に着くことができた。
Kewashii michi wo aruki tsuzukeru koto de, chōjō ni tsuku koto ga dekita.
We kept walking the steep path — and eventually reached the summit.
Memory Tip
The left radical 阝 evolved from the character for a mound of earth — treat it as a hillside. The right side 僉 looks like people clustered at the top, waving you off. Read the whole character as a scene: dangerous hill, everyone says turn back.
For the sound: link ケン (ken) to the English word "keen" — a keen, sharp edge, like a cliff's sheer drop. Steep hill, sharp danger, keen warning: that's 険.