Japanese word

用心

Pronunciation

Romajiyōjin

Meaning

  • nouncaution

Example

知らない人には用心してください。shi ra na i hito ni wa yō jin shi te ku da sa i

Please be careful around strangers.

Illustration for 用心 (caution)

More examples

旅行中はスリに用心してください。ryo kō chū wa su ri ni yō jin shi te ku da sa i

Please watch out for pickpockets while traveling.

Core concept

Describes staying alert and taking care before dealing with a possible danger or problem.

Common phrases

  • 用心するyō jin su ru

    be cautious

  • 用心が必要yō jin ga hitsu yō

    caution is necessary

Similar words

警戒keikai: A watchful state maintained against possible harm or attack.
注意chūi: Careful awareness that helps prevent errors or unpleasant results.

Definition in Japanese

危険や災難に遭わないよう、あらかじめ注意すること。ki ken ya sai nan ni a wa na i yō a ra ka ji me chū i su ru ko to

Word origin

用心 (yōjin) combines 用 (yō, "use") with 心 (shin, "mind") and came to express careful attention and caution.

Usage tips

  • Akira Kurosawa's film Yojimbo takes its title from 用心棒 (yōjinbō), a word that contains 用心 (yōjin) and means a hired bodyguard.

Other meanings

  • carenoun
  • precautionnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 用心深いyōjinbukaicautiousi-adjective
  • 用心深さyōjinfukasacautiousnessnoun

Word lists with this word