やばい

やばい
i-adjective
amazing; terrible; risky
informalslangemotiondescriptive
See also: やべー (casual variant), やばっ (exclamatory form)
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Presentやばいやばくない
Pastやばかったやばくなかった
て formやばくてやばくなくて
Adverbialやばく—
Conditional ばやばければやばくなければ
Conditional たらやばかったらやばくなかったら
1. amazing, awesome
Slang use expressing strong positive emotion about something impressive.
やばい、美味(おい)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(きのう)のライブ、やばかった！最高(さいこう)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(ちこく)する！
Oh no, I'm going to be late!
財布(さいふ)を忘(わす)れた。やばい。
I forgot my wallet. This is bad.
テストの点数(てんすう)がやばかったので、親(おや)に見(み)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(ばしょ)はやばい。
That place is sketchy.
夜(よる)にあの道(みち)を一人(ひとり)で歩(ある)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(て)を出(だ)しているんじゃないか。
Isn't that getting involved in something shady?

やばい is one of the most versatile slang words in modern Japanese. Its meaning depends entirely on context.

Meaning evolution

Originally meant 'dangerous/risky' (from criminal slang). In the 2000s, young people began using it positively to mean 'amazing/awesome.' Today, both uses are common.

Forms

  • やばい: standard
  • やべえ/やべー: masculine casual variant
  • ヤバい: katakana for emphasis
  • やばっ: exclamatory shortening

Positive use

Negative use

Register

Very informal/slang. Avoid in formal situations, business, or writing. Older generations may find it impolite.

Related Words

Compare: 危(あぶ)ない (dangerous)
Compare: キモい (gross, creepy)
general
Added 2026.1.16 8:50 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
04500/04747_yabai