Translation and Meaning of: 危ぶむ - ayabumu

If you've ever found yourself with a knot in your stomach before making an important decision or felt that nagging fear that something might go wrong, then you've experienced something akin to what the Japanese call 危ぶむ (あやぶむ). This word, which carries nuances of fear, doubt, and distrust, is more than just a simple verb — it encapsulates that moment of hesitation that we all know. In this article, we will explore its etymology, the kanji that composes it, and how it is used in everyday life in Japan. Additionally, you will discover tips to memorize it and even some curiosities that make this expression unique. At Suki Nihongo, the largest online Japanese dictionary, you will also find practical examples to include in your Anki and boost your studies.

Etymology and Kanji: What does 危ぶむ hide?

The verb 危ぶむ is formed by the kanji 危 (あや, "danger") and the suffix ぶむ, which adds the idea of "feeling" or "perceiving." Together, they paint the picture of someone who sees danger ahead — even if it is not there yet. The pictogram of 危 is a combination of "person on top of a cliff" (⺈) and "claw" (厂), suggesting vulnerability and imminent risk. It is no coincidence that this same character appears in words like 危険 (きけん) ("danger") or 危機 (きき) ("crisis").

An interesting fact is that, in ancient Japanese, あやぶむ also carried a more dramatic tone, almost like a portent. Today, although it still denotes apprehension, it is commonly seen in everyday contexts — from doubts about the weather ("明日の天気を危ぶむ") to concerns about the future of a project. And if you are wondering how to differentiate it from "心配する", think of it this way: while the latter is a general worry, 危ぶむ has a foot in the concrete, that suspicion that something specific will go wrong.

Everyday Lies: When do the Japanese use 危ぶむ?

Imagine a manager evaluating a report full of gaps. He might say: "There are voices that doubt the success of this project." Here, the verb not only expresses skepticism but also an implicit warning. Another classic example is in the media: news about the health of an elderly politician often includes phrases like "Some experts fear that he will continue in office."

But be careful! 危ぶむ is not used for irrational fears — it always stems from a real basis, no matter how tenuous it may be. A Japanese person would hardly say "幽霊が出るのを危ぶむ" ("to fear that a ghost will appear"), unless there are concrete (and frightening) indications of it. This precision makes the word more common in serious discussions than in casual conversations, where "怖い" or "不安" take the stage.

Tips for Memorizing and Curiosities

To fixate 危ぶむ, associate the kanji 危 with that yellow "DANGER" sign we see at construction sites. Now imagine someone looking at it and hesitating before entering — this scene is the essence of the verb. A tactic that worked for me was to create flashcards with images of ambiguous situations (a cloudy sky before a trip, a tight deadline at work) and write sentences like "出発を危ぶんでいる" ("I am in doubt about departing").

And here goes a cultural gem: in samurai culture, it was common to use 危ぶむ to describe distrust before a battle. To this day, period dramas repeat phrases like "敵の動きを危ぶめ" ("be wary of the enemy's movements"). If you are a fan of jidaigeki, you will recognize the term in dialogues full of suspense. And for etymology enthusiasts, a Google search reveals that many associate this word with prophecies or negative premonitions — a connection that speaks volumes about how the Japanese perceive uncertainty.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 危惧する (kigu suru) - to be afraid or worried about something specific
• 心配する (shinpai suru) - to worry, generally in a general way or about someone's well-being
• 懸念する (kenen suru) - to be concerned or to have a concern that is more formal, often in professional or official contexts
• 不安に思う (fuan ni omou) - feel anxious or insecure, focusing on a feeling of restlessness

危ぶむ

Romaji: ayabumu
Kana: あやぶむ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: to fear; have fears; be in doubt; suspect

Meaning in English: to fear;to have misgivings;to be doubtful;to mistrust

Definition: Anticipating dangerous situations or the future and feeling anxious.

Example Sentences - (危ぶむ) ayabumu

See below some example sentences:

私は彼女の未来について危ぶんでいる。

Watashi wa kanojo no mirai ni tsuite ayamubun de iru

I'm worried about her future.

I'm in danger of your future.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼女 (kanojo) - Japanese noun that means "girlfriend" or "she"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates that "未来" (mirai) belongs to "彼女" (kanojo)
• 未来 (mirai) - Japanese noun that means "future"
• について (ni tsuite) - expression that indicates the theme or subject of the sentence, in this case, "未来" (mirai)
• 危ぶんでいる (ayamanden iru) - Japanese verb that means "to be worried" or "to be anxious"