やばい
やばい
adjective (i-adjective)
amazing; terrible; risky
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| 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?
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:
- このケーキ、やばい！: This cake is incredible!
- やばいくらい美味しい: Insanely delicious
NEGATIVE USE:
- やばい、遅刻する！: Oh no, I'm gonna be late!
- あの場所はやばい: That place is sketchy
REGISTER:
Very informal/slang. Avoid in formal situations, business, or writing. Older generations may find it impolite.