Keywords: weixian, wei xian, 危险, Chinese for dangerous, Chinese for danger, what is weixian, how to say dangerous in Chinese, Chinese warning signs, safety in China, HSK 3 vocabulary
Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 危险 (wēixiǎn), meaning “dangerous” or “danger.” This comprehensive guide breaks down the characters, explores its cultural significance, and provides numerous practical examples. Understand how to use wēixiǎn to describe risky situations, read warning signs, and differentiate it from similar terms like “unsafe” (不安全) and “risk” (风险). Perfect for HSK 3 students and anyone wanting to grasp a core concept of safety and caution in Chinese culture.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): wēixiǎn
Part of Speech: Adjective / Noun
HSK Level: HSK 3
Concise Definition: Pertaining to or involving danger, risk, or peril.
In a Nutshell:危险 (wēixiǎn) is the most direct and common way to express “danger” or “dangerous” in Mandarin Chinese. It's a strong, serious word used to identify threats to one's safety, health, or well-being. Think of it as the word you'd see on a warning sign next to a cliff, use to describe a reckless driver, or mention when discussing a risky financial venture.
Character Breakdown
危 (wēi): This character is a pictograph. The top part (厄) originally depicted a person kneeling on a cliff edge, looking down. The bottom part (卩) represents a person. Together, it vividly illustrates someone in a precarious, high-risk position. Its core meaning is “danger,” “peril,” or “to endanger.”
险 (xiǎn): This character relates to treacherous terrain. The left side (阝), known as the “mound” radical, is associated with hills, mountains, or difficult geography. The right side (佥) primarily provides the phonetic sound. The combination suggests a hard-to-traverse, and therefore dangerous, geographical feature like a steep mountain pass.
When combined, 危险 (wēixiǎn) literally means “danger-treacherous,” creating an emphatic and clear term for any kind of dangerous situation, whether physical, financial, or social.
Cultural Context and Significance
In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on 安全 (ānquán - safety) and stability. The concept of 危险 (wēixiǎn) is therefore taken very seriously, and avoiding it is a primary consideration in daily life. This is reflected in the prevalence of warning signs and public announcements reminding people to be cautious.
While Western culture might sometimes romanticize risk-taking or “living on the edge,” traditional Chinese culture often prioritizes prudence, planning, and the collective safety of the group. Warning someone about a 危险 situation is seen as a sign of care and social responsibility. This isn't about being fearful, but about being pragmatic and responsible. For example, a Chinese host might repeatedly warn a guest that the soup is hot (`很烫，很危险 - hěn tàng, hěn wēixiǎn`), not because they think the guest is incompetent, but out of a deep sense of hospitality and duty of care.
Practical Usage in Modern China
As an Adjective: This is its most common use, directly modifying a noun.
e.g., `一个危险的地方` (yí ge wēixiǎn de dìfang) - A dangerous place.
e.g., `危险的动物` (wēixiǎn de dòngwù) - A dangerous animal.
As a Noun: It can also act as a noun, meaning “danger.”
e.g., `这里有危险。` (Zhèli yǒu wēixiǎn.) - There is danger here.
e.g., `脱离危险` (tuōlí wēixiǎn) - To escape from danger.
On Warning Signs: It's ubiquitous on official signs.
e.g., `危险！请勿靠近！` (Wēixiǎn! Qǐng wù kàojìn!) - Danger! Do not approach!
English: This investment plan is too dangerous (risky), let's just give it up.
Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 危险 in an abstract, financial context.
Example 5:
你正在玩一个危险的游戏。
Pinyin: Nǐ zhèngzài wán yí ge wēixiǎn de yóuxì.
English: You are playing a dangerous game.
Analysis: This can be literal (a physically dangerous game) or figurative (a risky social or political maneuver). The adjective modifies the noun `游戏` (yóuxì - game).
English: Meeting with strangers can be dangerous (lit: may have danger).
Analysis: Using `有危险` (yǒu wēixiǎn) is a very common structure to say “there is danger” or “it is dangerous.”
Example 7:
他是一个危险人物，离他远一点。
Pinyin: Tā shì yí ge wēixiǎn rénwù, lí tā yuǎn yìdiǎn.
English: He is a dangerous person, stay away from him.
Analysis: 危险人物 (wēixiǎn rénwù) is a set phrase for a “dangerous character” or “dangerous figure,” often implying a criminal or someone with bad intentions.
Example 8:
消防员的工作总是伴随着危险。
Pinyin: Xiāofángyuán de gōngzuò zǒngshì bànsuí zhe wēixiǎn.
English: The job of a firefighter is always accompanied by danger.
Analysis: Another example of 危险 as a noun, used with the verb `伴随` (bànsuí - to accompany).
Example 9:
你有没有意识到自己处境的危险？
Pinyin: Nǐ yǒu méiyǒu yìshi dào zìjǐ chǔjìng de wēixiǎn?
English: Have you realized the danger of your own situation?
Analysis: This sentence uses 危险 as a noun, the object of the verb `意识到` (yìshi dào - to realize).
Example 10:
虽然有危险，但他还是决定去救那只小猫。
Pinyin: Suīrán yǒu wēixiǎn, dànshì tā háishì juédìng qù jiù nà zhī xiǎo māo.
English: Although it was dangerous (lit: although there was danger), he still decided to go save the kitten.
Analysis: A great example showing how to structure a sentence that acknowledges danger but proceeds with an action anyway.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`危险 (wēixiǎn)` vs. `不安全 (bù ānquán)`:
危险 describes the presence of a threat. It's active. A tiger is 危险.
不安全 (bù ānquán) describes the absence of safety. It's a state. Walking in the tiger's enclosure is 不安全.
While often interchangeable, 危险 is stronger and more direct. If a building is old and might collapse, you could say it's `不安全`. If it's on fire, it's definitely `危险`.
Don't use it for trivial matters: Calling a dish “dangerously spicy” is a common English hyperbole. In Chinese, saying a dish is `危险` because it's spicy would sound very strange. You would simply say it's `太辣了 (tài là le - too spicy)`. Reserve 危险 for genuine threats to safety or well-being.
Incorrect Usage:
Wrong: `我的中文很危险。` (Wǒ de Zhōngwén hěn wēixiǎn.) This is a common “Chinglish” mistake. You mean to say your Chinese is “terribly bad.”
Correct: `我的中文很差。` (Wǒ de Zhōngwén hěn chà.) or `我的中文很糟糕。` (Wǒ de Zhōngwén hěn zāogāo.)
Related Terms and Concepts
`安全 (ānquán)` - The direct antonym: “safe” or “safety.”
`风险 (fēngxiǎn)` - “Risk.” More specific than 危险, often used in technical, business, or financial contexts to describe a measurable or calculated probability of loss.
`危机 (wēijī)` - “Crisis.” A famous word composed of danger (危) and opportunity (机). It refers to a crucial turning point that is fraught with danger.
`危害 (wēihài)` - (v.) “to harm,” “to endanger”; (n.) “harm.” This term focuses more on the harmful effect or damage caused by something.
`险情 (xiǎnqíng)` - “A dangerous situation,” “a perilous state.” A more formal noun used to describe a specific dangerous event or condition, often in news reports.
`险恶 (xiǎn'è)` - “Sinister,” “treacherous,” “vicious.” This carries a strong moral judgment, describing not just physical danger but also malicious intent or an evil nature.
`小心 (xiǎoxīn)` - (v.) “To be careful,” “Look out.” A common command used to warn someone of potential 危险.
`当心 (dāngxīn)` - (v.) “Watch out,” “Be careful.” Very similar to `小心`, another frequently used warning.