やばい
やばい
adjective (i-adjective)
amazing; terrible; risky
1.
amazing, awesome
Slang use expressing strong positive emotion about something impressive.
やばい、美味しい！
This is insanely good!
このラーメン、マジでやばい。
This ramen is seriously amazing.
昨日のライブ、やばかった！最高だった！
Yesterday's concert was incredible! It was the best!
2.
terrible, bad
Original meaning indicating a dangerous or problematic situation.
やばい、遅刻する！
Oh no, I'm going to be late!
財布を忘れた。やばい。
I forgot my wallet. This is bad.
テストの点数がやばかったので、親に見せられない。
My test score was so bad I can't show it to my parents.
3.
risky, dangerous
Describing something potentially harmful or illegal.
あの場所はやばい。
That place is sketchy.
夜にあの道を一人で歩くのはやばいよ。
It's dangerous to walk that road alone at night.
それはやばいことに手を出しているんじゃないか。
Isn't that getting involved in something shady?
Originally meant 'dangerous/risky' but evolved among youth to mean 'amazing/cool'. Context determines meaning. Very informal. The positive sense became dominant in the 2000s. Common variations: やべえ (masculine), ヤバい (katakana for emphasis). One of the most versatile slang words.