物騒

ぶっそう

dangerous, disturbed, insecure

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The word 物騒 (ぶっそう) describes situations or environments that are dangerous, unsafe, or disturbed. It often implies a sense of insecurity or threat, whether due to crime, violence, or social unrest.

Common Contexts

You will frequently hear 物騒 used when talking about unsafe neighborhoods, alarming news reports, or tense social atmospheres. It can describe both physical danger and emotional unease caused by unsettling events.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 物騒な事件 (ぶっそうなじけん): dangerous or disturbing incidents
  • 物騒な言葉 (ぶっそうなことば): alarming or unsettling words
  • 物騒な世の中 (ぶっそうなよのなか): a dangerous or unstable world

These collocations highlight how 物騒 is used to describe both concrete dangers and abstract feelings of insecurity.

Register and Nuance

物騒 is somewhat formal and often used in news reports or serious conversations. It is not casual slang but is common in everyday speech when discussing safety concerns.

Common Learner Mistake

A common confusion is to use 物騒 simply to mean "dangerous" without the nuance of social disturbance or insecurity. Remember that 物騒 often implies a broader sense of unease or threat, not just physical danger.

Example Sentences

さいきん、このあたりはぶっそうだからよるおそくにひとりであるかないほうがいい。

Lately, this area has been dangerous, so it's better not to walk alone late at night.

ぶっそうなじけんがおおくて、にゅーすをみるのがこわい。

There are many disturbing incidents, so I'm afraid to watch the news.

ぶっそうなことばをつかうと、まわりのひとがふあんになることがある。

Using alarming words can sometimes make people around you feel uneasy.