Semantic Change Of ‘Yabai’ In Japanese Variety Show

Abstract

This study aims to describe the semantic change of yabai in Japanese variety show called Itadaki High Jump. Originally, yabai means dangerous and bad situasion. But nowaday, this word have been used in many situations and contexts and the meaning of yabai has grown into positive meaning, not just negative. In Itadaki High JUMP, yabai has been used several times and in many situations that have different meaning and expression. This study used descriptive qualitative method. The result of this study is, the semantic change of yabai are generalization and amelioration. The meaning of yabai in Itadaki High Jump are: 1) worry, 2) awful face, 3) exhausted, 4) uncomfortable, 5) scared, 6) trouble, 7) terrible, 8) spicy, 9) unbelieveable, 10) touched.