Kilo Lingo

(fēng xiǎn) - risk in Mandarin

fēngxiǎn

Traditional: 風險

#2744 of 5,000 Core 5000

Translation

risk

Word origin

Literally wind danger, from 风 (fēng, wind) and 险 (xiǎn, danger, steep), the hazard a sailing boat runs from the weather.

Origin
compound
Root
风 (fēng, wind) + 险 (xiǎn, danger)

Stroke order

Stroke order for 风

Stroke order for 险

Examples

There is always risk in doing business.

The risk of this decision is too great.

The doctor explained the risks of the operation to me.

He is willing to take on risk for his dream.

We have to bring the risk down to the minimum.

风险 (fēngxiǎn) is risk in the calculated sense: exposure that can be measured, priced, taken on or reduced. It is the word of business, insurance and medicine.

Its usual verbs are worth learning as a set. 有风险 (carries risk), 承担风险 (take on risk), 降低风险 (reduce risk), 冒风险 (run a risk). 高风险 and 低风险 do the rest.

The trap is confusing it with 危险. 危险 is danger, the thing that might hurt you right now, and it works as an adjective: 这里很危险. 风险 is a noun only, so 这里很风险 is wrong. If you can point at it and flinch, use 危险.

Where this fits

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Mandarin · Free printables

风险: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "风险" (risk): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

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This word is part of lesson 55.