やばい · i-adjective
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | やばい | やばくない |
| Polite | やばいです | やばくないですalso やばくありません |
| Past polite | やばかったです | やばくなかったですalso やばくありませんでした |
| Past | やばかった | やばくなかった |
| Te-form | やばくて | やばくなくて |
| Adverbial | やばく | |
| Conditional | やばければ | やばくなければ |
| Tara conditional | やばかったら | やばくなかったら |
Colloquial adjective for a situation that is physically dangerous, risky, or likely to end badly. Often used as an exclamation.
この道は夜はやばいよ。
This road is dangerous at night.
やばい、宿題忘れた！
Oh no, I forgot my homework!
Slang use for something of very poor quality, unpleasant, or disappointing. Stronger than まずい or ひどい in casual speech.
この映画、マジでやばかった。
This movie was seriously terrible.
あの店のサービス、やばくない？
Isn't the service at that shop awful?
Slang positive sense: extremely good, impressive, or exciting. Often used by younger speakers. Context and intonation distinguish it from the negative senses.
この曲、やばくない？めっちゃいい！
Isn't this song amazing? It's so good!
あの選手のプレーはやばいね。
That player's performance is incredible.
crazy; insane; extreme; unhinged
Slang for something or someone that is wildly unusual, extreme, or mentally off. Can describe a person's behavior, a situation, or an intense degree.
彼のファッションはいつもやばい。
His fashion is always crazy.
昨日のテスト、やばいほど難しかった。
Yesterday's test was insanely difficult.
If we're late it'll be bad, so let's hurry.
This ramen's taste is insanely bad.
Isn't this song amazing?
She's insanely cute.
やばい is an even more general slang exclamation that can mean 'amazing' or 'terrible' depending on tone, whereas すげー leans specifically toward positive amazement or surprise.
やばい is a versatile slang intensifier that can mean great or terrible depending on context, while えぐい (in this sense) is used specifically as a strong positive intensifier by younger speakers.