Word in Japanese/virtue
Courage in Japanese
Courage translates as 勇気 (yuuki). Below is a full breakdown with stroke counts, alternate writings, an example sentence, and tattoo design notes.
What it means
勇気 (yuuki, ゆうき) means courage.
| Kanji | Meaning | Strokes | On'yomi | Kun'yomi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 勇 | brave, courage | 9 | yuu | isa(mu) |
| 気 | spirit, energy, mood | 6 | ki, ke | — |
Alternate writings
Japanese often offers more than one valid kanji for a concept. The alternates below carry slightly different nuance — read them carefully before choosing.
single-character form: bravery, often used as a name
Compounds and related words
Common Japanese vocabulary built around this kanji.
| Word | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 勇敢 | yuukan | brave, valiant |
| 勇者 | yuusha | hero, brave one |
| 蛮勇 | ban'yuu | reckless courage |
Example sentence
勇気を出して前に進もう。
Yuuki o dashite mae ni susumou.
Let's summon our courage and move forward.
Tattoo design notes
勇気 is the standard word for courage and the natural choice for a courage-themed tattoo. The literal meaning is brave + spirit, which captures the idea cleanly. For a single-character tattoo, 勇 alone reads as bravery and is also a common Japanese given name. 勇気 is more emphatic; 勇 is more elegant on a small design.
Cultural notes
勇 appears in many male given names. The compound 勇気 is the everyday word, while 勇敢 (yuukan) is more literary and adjectival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say courage in Japanese?
Courage in Japanese is 勇気, romanised as yuuki and written in hiragana as ゆうき. 勇 appears in many male given names. The compound 勇気 is the everyday word, while 勇敢 (yuukan) is more literary and adjectival.
What does the kanji 勇気 mean?
勇 means "brave, courage" (9 strokes; on'yomi: yuu; kun'yomi: isa(mu)). 気 means "spirit, energy, mood" (6 strokes; on'yomi: ki, ke; kun'yomi: —). Together the word reads as yuuki.
What is the difference between 勇気 and 勇?
勇気 (yuuki) is the standard form: 勇 appears in many male given names. The compound 勇気 is the everyday word, while 勇敢 (yuukan) is more literary and adjectival.. 勇 (yuu) is different — single-character form: bravery, often used as a name. Pick based on the exact nuance you want to convey.
Is 勇気 a good kanji for a tattoo?
勇気 is the standard word for courage and the natural choice for a courage-themed tattoo. The literal meaning is brave + spirit, which captures the idea cleanly. For a single-character tattoo, 勇 alone reads as bravery and is also a common Japanese given name. 勇気 is more emphatic; 勇 is more elegant on a small design.
How do you write courage in hiragana?
In hiragana, courage is written as ゆうき, which represents the sound yuuki. The kanji form 勇気 is used in everyday writing; hiragana is used when the kanji is too difficult, for emphasis, or in children's text.
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