脅威（きょうい、kyoui）
- threat

The Japanese word 脅威 (きょうい, *kyōi*) primarily means "threat," "menace," or "intimidation." It signifies something that poses a danger, a risk, or a potential for harm. 脅威 can refer to various types of threats, including those to physical safety, security, stability, or well-being. It implies a situation or entity capable of causing fear or worry due to its potential negative impact.

⚫︎ テロは国際的な脅威］です。 Translation: Terrorism is an international threat. ⚫︎ 経済的な脅威］から国を守る。 Translation: To protect the country from economic threats. ⚫︎ この病気は健康に対する脅威］だ。 Translation: This disease is a threat to health.

脅威 is a relatively formal word and is used in a variety of contexts to describe something that endangers or poses a risk. It's suitable for situations involving potential danger, risks to security, or challenges to stability. It is often used in discussions about politics, economics, health, and security. You would use this word when discussing potential dangers or risks in a serious manner.

脅威 is typically written using the kanji 脅威. The reading is きょうい in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word or significant variations in the okurigana.

⚫︎ 危険 (*kiken*) - danger, risk ⚫︎ 脅迫 (*kyōhaku*) - threat, intimidation ⚫︎ 脅迫 (kyōhaku*) - intimidation ⚫︎ 恐れ (*osore*) - fear, threat ⚫︎ リスク (*risuku*) - risk (borrowed word)

⚫︎ 安全 (*anzen*) - safety, security ⚫︎ 安心 (*anshin*) - peace of mind, relief ⚫︎ 保護 (*hogo*) - protection, safeguard

地球温暖化は、世界的な環境の脅威］となっています。 ・Translation: Global warming has become a global environmental threat. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates how 脅威 is used in the context of environmental issues, pointing to the dangers posed by climate change.

国家の安全保障にとって、サイバー攻撃は深刻な脅威］となりうる。 ・Translation: Cyberattacks can be a serious threat to national security. ・Explanation: This sentence demonstrates 脅威 being used to describe the dangers posed by cyber warfare, emphasizing the impact on a country's security.

The kanji 脅 means "threaten," "coerce," or "intimidate," and 威 means "majesty," "authority," or "power." Therefore, 脅威 literally translates to "threat power" or the "power of threat." The combination of these two kanji emphasizes the capacity to inspire fear and the potential for harm that constitutes a threat.