(あや)うさ

あやうさ
noun
precariousness; riskiness; fragility
1. precariousness; the quality of being on the edge of failure
The nominalized form of (あや)うい. It names a fragile, unstable quality that could tip into disaster at any moment — often used admiringly of art, performance, or beauty as well as critically of situations.
その計画(けいかく)(あや)うさに()づいた。
I noticed how precarious that plan was.
彼女(かのじょ)(うた)には(あや)うさと(うつく)しさがある。
Her singing has both a fragility and a beauty to it.
好調(こうちょう)()えるこの経済(けいざい)にも、一部(いちぶ)専門家(せんもんか)(あや)うさを(かん)じている。
Even in this economy, which looks strong, some experts sense a fragility.

Formed from the i-adjective (あや)うい plus the nominalizing suffix 〜さ. Written language more than conversation.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • (あや)うさを(かん)じる: to sense a precariousness
  • (あや)うさをはらむ: to contain an element of danger
  • (あや)うさが(ただよ)う: an air of fragility hangs over something
  • ぎりぎりの(あや)うさ: a razor's-edge precariousness

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • (あぶ)なさ: dangerousness — plainer and more physical; (あや)うさ is more literary and often admiring
  • 危険(きけん)(せい): riskiness — neutral and analytical, used in reports and assessments

Related Words