Danger, Steep

Interesting Fact

Japan is a mountainous country, and Japanese has a wonderfully specific word for terrain that is difficult to climb: 険しい (けわしい). It can describe a steep mountain trail, a rocky cliff, or even a difficult situation. You might hear 険しい山道—a steep, rugged mountain path. The same idea extends beyond physical landscapes: Japanese can describe someone's future as 険しい, meaning the road ahead looks difficult. So 険 connects a dangerous mountain path with the idea of a difficult journey through life.