険けわしい

け

わ

し

い

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

険しい · i-adjective

Form	Positive	Negative
Dictionary	険けわしい	険けわしくない
Polite	険けわしいです	険けわしくないですalso 険けわしくありません
Past polite	険けわしかったです	険けわしくなかったですalso 険けわしくありませんでした
Past	険けわしかった	険けわしくなかった
Te-form	険けわしくて	険けわしくなくて
Adverbial	険けわしく
Conditional	険けわしければ	険けわしくなければ
Tara conditional	険けわしかったら	険けわしくなかったら

Meanings

Describes physically steep, rugged, or difficult-to-climb terrain. Often used for mountains, cliffs, or paths.

Related words

急きゅうN3sense 1
急 describes a steep slope or sudden change, but lacks the rugged, forbidding nuance that 険しい carries.
厳きびしいN4sense 2
厳しい means strict or severe, often for rules or training, while 険しい emphasizes a grim, stern appearance or harsh situation.
急きゅう峻しゅん sense 1
急峻 is a more formal, written word for steep and rugged terrain, while 険しい is the common everyday adjective for the same idea.

Opposites

なだらかN2sense 1
なだらか describes a gentle, gradual slope, the opposite of the rugged, steep terrain that 険しい describes.
穏おだやかN3sense 2
穏やか describes a calm, mild expression or manner, the opposite of the grim, stern look that 険しい describes.
柔にゅう和わ
険しい describes a harsh, sharp, or stern expression, the direct opposite of the soft, gentle look described by 柔和.

Don't confuse with

詳くわしいN4
詳しい (くわしい, 'detailed/knowledgeable') and 険しい (けわしい, 'steep/harsh') sound similar and are easy to mix up despite having unrelated meanings.
険けん悪あくN1
険しい (steep, harsh) shares the kanji 険 with 険悪 but describes terrain or a severe look/manner rather than an overall hostile atmosphere or relationship.
鋭するどいN3
険しい describes a steep, harsh, or severe look/terrain, while 鋭い describes a piercing sharpness in a gaze or tone, so 険しい表情 and 鋭い表情 overlap but are not identical.