Yabai is a very common word used in Japanese conversations, but is it good or bad? In this article, we will explain what does yabai mean with some useful examples.
Slang words can make you seem cooler with your gang because they hold a lot of power. But if you use them in the wrong context, you could risk embarrassing yourself.
When it comes to communicating such slang words in Japanese, it is more about the language for the place, time and occasion and a little less about speaking perfectly.
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One such example would be the popular slang word Yabai (やばい) that has stirred a lot of confusion because of its many contradictory English translations and meanings.
If you look up the word Yabia, you would probably be confused too. Lucky for you, we have a detailed explanation of its meanings with excellent examples along with when you can use this slang word.
What does Yabai Mean?
Depending on the use and context, the word Yabai can mean something good or bad.
The word Yabai (やばい) either means something risky, dangerous, terrible, inconvenient, to indicate something bad happens.
The same word is used as a slang to indicate something cool, surprising and great. But how can this be?
So, there is an entire list of good and bad words associated with the meaning of Yabai: Beautiful, Bad, Cool, Crazy, Delicious, Cute, Weird, Interesting, Delight, Amazing, Fun, Miserable, Awesome, Strange, Risky, Oh my god, Awful, Terrible Suspicious, Sad, Sorrowful, etc.
In a nutshell, pretty much any emotion can be Yabai as long as it depends on the context and its intonation.
Origin of the Japanese Word Yabai:
Although nobody knows where this word really came from, there are a number of theories. One such theory is when criminals in the Edo period were incarcerated, they used to call the prison guards-Yaba (厄場).
So, when they do something illicit in prison, the one standing on the lookout would shout Yaba when they saw a guard approaching them.
When they got out of prison, whenever they wanted to avoid something they would say yaba out of habit.
Another explanation says the word Yaba (矢場) was used when someone found themselves in a dangerous or precarious situation.
In the 80s, people began using it to say something wasn't cool and in the 90s, young people inverted its meaning to something cute, cool and incredible.
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Different Meanings of Yabai Depending On Context with Examples
Yabai can mean OMG! / Oh No!
Here, Yabai is used as a general expletive that comes at a moment of unpleasant realization. So, if you stepped in poop or locked your key inside the car, or left the gas at home, you will be using it here in this context.
Examples:
| Yabai! Saifu wasurechatta | Oh no! I forgot my wallet | やばい！ さいふ わすれちゃった！ |
| Atsusa yabai ne! | It’s terribly hot, isn’t it! | 暑さやばいね！ |
Yabai can mean Dangerous
Yabai is used here to refer to something unsafe or trying to warn somebody about a dangerous, or risky situation. Some people even say it originated from the word -Iya! Abunai which means No! It’s dangerous!
Examples:
| Sono keikaku wa yabai zo! | That plan is dangerous! | その けいかく は ヤバイ ぞ |
| Yabai! Kuma da! | Watch out! A bear! | やばい！熊だ！ |
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Yabai can Mean Wow!
Yabai can also be used as an exclamation of positive surprise and general delight. It is said with a lot of enthusiasm and amazement. You would use it when you find unexpected money in your pocket.
Examples
| Yabai! Mecha oishii! | Wow! This is so good! | やばい！めちゃ美味しい！ |
| Yabai! Dokyuusei ga ninshinshita mitai! |
Holy crap! My friend is pregnant! |
やばっ！同級生が妊娠したみたい! |
:
Yabai can mean Amazing / Cool
Yabai is often used to describe things that are awesome, great, super, fun and amazing.
It can be used to describe anything like people, places, food, skills, talent, anime characters, etc. When you have a fan moment over an anime character or pop singer.
Examples:
| Yaba! Kono pasuta oishii! | This pasta is super good! | やばっ！このパスタ美味しい! |
| Kono anime yabai! | This anime is amazing! | このアニメやばい！ |
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Yabai can mean Crazy (Positive & Negative Meaning):
In a negative sense, young people like to call things they don't understand or like as crazy. It can be used to describe something insane, strange, weird or funny.
Another slang word similar to this is ‘sick’ which is taken in both a positive and negative way.
Examples: (Negative connotation)
| Kyou, okaasan ni okorareta. Aitsu yabai yo, maji de | My mom yelled at me today. She’s crazy, man | 今日、お母さんに怒られた。あいつヤバいよ、マジで |
| Kono neko maji yabai | This cat is so weird | この猫まじヤバイ |
Positive Connotations
You can also use it in a positive way to react to your friend getting engaged or when you feel ecstatic.
Example:
| Konnyaku shita! Yabai deshou? | I got engaged! Crazy, right? | 婚約した！ヤバいでしょう？ |
| Katta! Yabai jan | I won! Isn’t that crazy? | 勝った！やばいじゃん |
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Different Ways To Say Yabai
Shortened/Elongated Versions of Yabai include-
- Yaba (やばっ)
- Yabe (やべっ)
- Yabee (やべー )
- Yabei (やべい)
- Yabasu (やばす)
Yabakunai
This is a more rhetorical question form of the word Yabai which can be translated into: ‘That’s crazy, right?’
Meccha Yabai/Mecchakucha Yabai
If you would like to emphasize the word Yabai, then you can use this which means extremely or totally or super awesome or crazy.
Yaba Sugiru
If you would like to express how amazing or crazy a situation is, then you can say this which translates into: ‘That’s too crazy!’
Yabai Yo
Another variation of the word yabai and can be heard in anime and daily conversations which means exactly the same a syabai with the ending particle yo (よ).
This is done to make the expression sound more forceful and stronger just like exclamation marks.
Yabai Desu Ne
When you add desu ne (ですね) after yabai, the expression becomes more feminine and soft. It translates into: That's crazy/ amazing/ terrible isn't it?
Yabakatta
This is the past tense form of yabai to express something that was amazing or bad or crazy or dangerous or weird or funny. It roughly translates into: That was slope/ sick.
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Common Phrases in Japanese to Use Yabai
Now that we have discussed all of the translations and meanings, let us see how we can use yabai in Japanese vocabulary.
Mostly, the word is commonly used by the younger generation but it isn't strange or unusual even for older people to use it too.
Keep in mind never to use it in formal situations since it is a slang word so use it with your friends and family.
Below are more examples of using the word yabai in common conversations in Japan:
| Yabai! Kawaii! | Oh my god! It’s so cute! | やばい！可愛い！ |
| Yabai! Yabai! Yabai! Shukudai wasurechatta! | Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! I forgot my homework! | やばい！やばい！やばい”宿題忘れちゃった！ |
| Sasuke-kun kakkoo ii! Yabai! | Sasuke is so cool! OMFG! | サスケくんかっこいい！やばい！ |
| Kouen ni yabai hito ga iru | There is a suspicious person in the park | 公園にやばい人がいる |
| Yaba! Kanojo kawaii | Damn! She looks hot | やば！彼女可愛い |
| Kinou yabakatta! |
Yesterday was amazing/ crazy or terrible! | 昨日やばかった！ |
| Kono osushiya-san yabai | This sushi restaurant is so good! | この おすしやさん やばい |
| Kinou no paatii yabakatta | Yesterday’s party was amazing/awful. mess/crazy | きのう の パーティー やばかった |
| Kore oishii! Yabee! | This is so good! OMG! | これ美味しい！やべー！ |
Meaning of Yabai: FAQs
Is Yabe the same as Yabai?
Can Yabai be used in formal situations?
What does the word ‘Yabai desu ne’ mean in anime?
When can you use the term Yabai?
Conclusion:
Yabai is a common word that is used informally in daily life. So, while we conclude there isn't any specific meaning to it, it can be used in a myriad of situations to convey a myriad of feelings.
As slang, ‘Yabai’ means cool, crazy, extreme, amazing, insane so if you want to emphasize a point, then go ahead.
So next time you are talking to some friends in Japanese, try to include ‘Yabai’ in your vocabulary of words. Don’t be scared to use it as each time you use it it could have a different meaning.
Practice new phrases that go along with it. As you can see, there is a lot of usage of the word, so go ahead and embrace it!
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