険悪

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 険悪 is read as けんあく and describes a hostile or tense atmosphere or relationship.
• Basic usage: It can describe a meeting turning hostile because of disagreement or a strained relationship between two people.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An atmosphere becoming hostile
  • 空気が険悪になる means that conflict makes the mood in a place tense or hostile. Example: 意見の対立で会議の空気が険悪になりました。
• A relationship between people
  • 険悪な関係 is a strained and unfriendly relationship. Example: 二人は険悪な関係を改善しようと話し合いました。