Definition
危殆 is a formal, literary verb meaning 'to be in grave danger' or 'to be imperiled'. It's used in written Chinese — news reports, historical texts, formal speeches — to describe a situation that is critically unstable or on the verge of collapse. Unlike the more common 危险 (wēixiǎn, 'dangerous'), 危殆 emphasizes an extreme, life-or-death level of peril and is not used in everyday conversation.
v.p.
(formal) to be in grave dangerto be imperiled
Examples
- 危殆。Zhège guójiā de jīngjì xíngshì wēi dài.This country's economic situation is in grave danger.
- 危殆，。Bìngrén de shēngmìng wēi dài, xūyào lìkè qiǎngjiù.The patient's life is in grave danger and requires immediate rescue.
- 危殆，。Dāngshí zhěnggè chéngshì wēi dài, shìmín fēnfēn táolí.At that time the entire city was imperiled, and citizens fled one after another.
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