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Japanese · The Basics

やばい

yabai

yah-BYE · /jabai/

Insane / crazy / no way — good OR bad, from context

1/5 Grandma-safe

mild, playful; fine on daytime TV

Literally

"dangerous / dicey (originally underworld slang)"

Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.

How to use it

The most important word in modern casual Japanese. Originally meant "dangerous" (as in, the cops are coming), it now means whatever the situation is, dialed to eleven — a stunning sunset is yabai, a looming deadline is yabai, incredible food is yabai. Under-25s use it roughly the way English speakers use "insane" or "sick." Tone and face carry the polarity; the word itself is neutral.

Heard in the wild

この寿司やばい、うますぎ。

This sushi is insane, way too good.

Where it lands

Nationwide; heaviest among younger speakers

Quick answers

What does "やばい" mean?
In Japanese, "やばい" means "Insane / crazy / no way — good OR bad, from context". Literally it's "dangerous / dicey (originally underworld slang)". The most important word in modern casual Japanese. Originally meant "dangerous" (as in, the cops are coming), it now means whatever the situation is, dialed to eleven — a stunning sunset is yabai, a looming deadline is yabai, incredible food is yabai. Under-25s use it roughly the way English speakers use "insane" or "sick." Tone and face carry the polarity; the word itself is neutral.
Is "やばい" offensive?
It's on the mild end — 1/5 (Grandma-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. mild, playful; fine on daytime TV.
How do you pronounce "やばい"?
Say it "yah-BYE" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: jabai.

Related in Japanese

マジ maji MAH-jee Seriously / for real / no joke やった yatta YAHT-tah Yes! / I did it! / We won! すげえ sugee (sugoi) soo-GEH Awesome! / Whoa! / Incredible! 最高 saikō sigh-KOH The best! / awesome / peak うまい umai / umee oo-MYE Delicious! / So good! / Nailed it! 気持ちいい kimochii kee-mo-CHEE Feels so good / that's the stuff

The same idea, elsewhere

Via concepts like "That's awesome".

how to say "That's awesome" →how to say "That's crazy" →how to say "Unbelievable" →

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