Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
危ない橋を渡る (あぶないはしをわたる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-ru)
tread on thin ice ; go out on a limb ; walk a tightrope ; take risks
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression meaning to knowingly engage in a risky or dangerous course of action, often with a sense of daring or recklessness. The literal image is 'crossing a dangerous bridge'.
そんな 危あぶ ない 橋はし を 渡わた る の は やめ た ほう が いい 。
You'd better stop taking such risks.
Written forms 危あぶ ない 橋はし を 渡わた る
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling for this idiomatic expression.
あぶない 橋はし を 渡わた る
Kana spelling for 危ない; common in casual writing or when avoiding the kanji.
Similar words 危き 険けん を 冒おか す More literal and formal way to say 'take a risk', without the idiomatic flavor of 危ない橋を渡る.
虎こ 穴けつ に 入い る Idiom meaning 'enter the tiger's den', implying a deliberate entry into a dangerous place for a purpose, often with a heroic or necessary connotation, while 危ない橋を渡る can be more about reckless risk-taking.
Etymology A Japanese idiom literally meaning 'to cross a dangerous bridge', used figuratively to describe taking a risky action. The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely derives from the universal metaphor of a precarious crossing.
