險 (xiǎn) - Dangerous, perilous, hazardous & risk

險Tone 3

xiǎn ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

險 · xiǎn

Dangerous, perilous, hazardous;

risk;

a strategic pass;

insurance.

Dangerous, perilous, hazardousriska strategic pass

Usage highlights

DangerousInsuranceRiskDangerous situationStrategic passAdventure

Synonyms

  • 危— dangerous, perilous
  • 凶— ominous, dangerous

Antonyms

  • 安— safe, secure
  • 全— complete, safe
  • 夷— safe, smooth (as in 化险为夷)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The mountain road is very dangerous (山路很险).
  • He took a big risk (他冒了很大的险).
  • This is a dangerous situation (这是一个险境).
  • We need to buy insurance (我们需要买保险).

Collocations

  • Dangerous(危险)
  • Insurance(保险)
  • Risk(风险)
  • Dangerous situation(险境)
  • Strategic pass(险关)
  • Adventure(冒险)

Idioms

  • To risk one's life(铤而走险)
  • To go through hardships and dangers(赴险如夷)
  • Dangerous and difficult(险阻艰难)
  • Out of danger(化险为夷)
  • A narrow escape(险象环生)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, '险' often referred to strategic mountain passes that were difficult to access and easy to defend.
  • The character appears in military contexts describing treacherous terrain and dangerous situations in warfare.
  • In modern usage, it's commonly seen in financial terms like 'insurance' (保险), extending the concept of protection against risks.

FAQ