険

JLPT N3

Dangerous, steep

Readings

On’yomi: ケン (ken)

Kun’yomi: けわ(しい) (kewa(shii))

• けわ(しい) – steep, severe, grim

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

危険

きけん

danger

険しい

けわしい

steep

険悪

けんあく

hostile

保険

ほけん

insurance

冒険

ぼうけん

adventure

Example Sentences

危険です。

きけんです。

It is dangerous.

道が険しいです。

みちがけわしいです。

The road is steep.

険悪な雰囲気です。

けんあくなふんいきです。

It is a hostile atmosphere.

保険に入ります。

ほけんにはいります。

I buy insurance.

冒険します。

ぼうけんします。

I go on an adventure.

Cultural Note

🏔️ The kanji 険 often appears in both literal and figurative expressions of difficulty or risk:
• In landscapes, it describes rugged mountains (険しい山).
• In relationships or politics, it expresses tension or hostility (険悪).
• In daily life, it appears in words like 保険 (insurance), symbolizing protection from risk.
This duality — nature’s danger and human caution — reflects Japan’s mountainous geography and the value of preparedness.