「やばい」(yabai) - One word, two worlds

I'm sure when you were learning beginner Japanese, you were taught that 「やばい」 means "Oh no!", "I'm screwed!", "This is not good!" 😱. And that's right... 20 years ago!

If you've lived in Japan long enough, you'll realize this word appears with dizzying frequency in daily conversations, especially among young people. But its meaning has expanded greatly, even taking on a completely opposite nuance.

🤔 So when is「やばい」"BAD"?

This is the original meaning of the word. You'll use it when you encounter a negative, dangerous, or disadvantageous situation.

Context: The tone of voice will usually be panicked, worried, rushed.

• やばい、財布忘れた！ (Yabai, wasureta!) -> Crap, I forgot my wallet!
• この仕事の量、ちょっとやばいな… (Kono shigoto no ryou, chotto yabai na...) -> The amount of this work is a bit much...
• やばい、終電だ！ (Yabai, shuuden da!) -> Crap, it's the last train!

😍 And when is「やばい」"AWESOME"?

This is the fun part! Nowadays,「やばい」is used as an exclamation to express the highest level of admiration and praise. It can replace すごい, おいしい, かっこいい, 最高...

Context: The tone of voice will be full of excitement, enthusiasm, and admiration.

• (Eating something extremely delicious 🍜) これ、やばい！ (Kore, yabai!) -> This is the best!
• (Watching a thrilling sports match) 今のプレー、やばかったね！ (Ima no puree, yabakatta ne!) -> That play was amazing!
• (Seeing someone with great fashion sense) あの人、めっちゃおしゃれでやばい。 (Ano hito, meccha oshare de yabai.) -> That person's fashion sense is insane.

✨ The secret to distinguishing them

he key is in the intonation (イントネーション) and context (文脈).

1. Listen to the voice: Are they worried or in awe?
2. Look at the expression: Is their face wrinkled in a frown or shining with joy?
3. Consider the situation: Did they just spill coffee on their shirt or are they eating something delicious?

Understanding the transformation of「やばい」, you will not only understand modern Japanese communication culture better but also be able to use it to make your conversations more natural and "native-like." Next time you eat something really delicious, don't be afraid to exclaim これ、やばい！ 😉