Meaning
勇 means courage, bravery, and valor — the inner force that drives someone to act despite fear or danger. It covers physical bravery on a battlefield and the quieter personal courage needed for difficult everyday decisions.
Structurally, 勇 combines two parts: 甬 above (originally depicting a path or passageway, suggesting forward movement) and 力 (ちから, power) below. Together they suggest directing one's strength forward — pressing ahead through resistance. Once you spot 力 at the base, the character becomes easy to recall.
Taught in 4th grade of Japanese elementary school, 勇 appears at JLPT N2 with 9 strokes. It turns up in literature, news, and everyday speech alike. Culturally, its range runs from the samurai ideal of 武勇 (martial valor) to the everyday phrase 勇気を持って — "have the courage to" — heard in schools and workplaces.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi is ユウ (yuu). It dominates compound words (熟語) and works in formal, literary, and everyday contexts alike.
- 勇気 (yuuki) — courage, bravery (the most common compound; 気 means spirit or energy)
- 勇敢 (yuukan) — brave, courageous, valiant (used as a な-adjective: 勇敢な人)
- 勇者 (yuusha) — a brave person, hero (especially in fantasy/RPG contexts)
- 勇猛 (yuumou) — fierce and brave, bold and dauntless
- 武勇 (buyuu) — military valor, martial prowess
- 義勇 (giyuu) — righteous courage, patriotic bravery
- 蛮勇 (ban'yuu) — reckless courage, foolhardiness (bravery without wisdom)
- 勇退 (yuutai) — honorable retirement, stepping down with dignity
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi is いさ.む (isa.mu). It appears in the verb 勇む (to feel courageous, to be spirited) and the adjective 勇ましい (brave, stirring). Okurigana (送り仮名) after the dot shifts depending on conjugation or word form.
- 勇む (isamu) — to feel emboldened, to be full of spirit (verb)
- 勇ましい (isamashii) — brave, heroic, stirring (い-adjective)
- 勇み足 (isamiashi) — overstepping (originally a sumo term for stepping outside the ring while winning); figuratively, going too far out of eagerness
Common Words & Compounds
勇 spans a broad range of compounds — from noble valor to reckless boldness. Grouping them by theme makes the distinctions stick.
Core courage vocabulary:
- 勇気 (yuuki) — courage, bravery; the most frequently encountered word using this kanji
- 勇敢 (yuukan) — brave, valiant; used as a な-adjective describing people or actions
- 勇気づける (yuuki-zukeru) — to encourage, to give someone courage (compound verb)
Heroic figures and ideals:
- 勇者 (yuusha) — hero, brave warrior; popular in RPG games and fantasy novels
- 勇士 (yuushi) — brave soldier, warrior; more formal and literary than 勇者
- 勇猛果敢 (yuumou kakan) — bold and daring (four-character idiom, 四字熟語)
Military and historical contexts:
- 武勇 (buyuu) — martial valor, military prowess; common in historical texts
- 義勇軍 (giyuugun) — volunteer army, militia fighting for a just cause
- 勇戦 (yuusen) — brave battle, fighting valiantly
Nuanced or cautionary uses:
- 蛮勇 (ban'yuu) — reckless courage, foolhardiness; bravery that lacks wisdom
- 勇み足 (isamiashi) — overstepping, being overeager and making an avoidable mistake
- 勇退 (yuutai) — graceful or honorable retirement; stepping down voluntarily while still capable
Example Sentences
彼は勇気を出して、好きな人に告白した。
Kare wa yuuki wo dashite, sukina hito ni kokuhaku shita.
He mustered his courage and confessed his feelings to the person he likes.
勇敢な消防士が火事の中に飛び込んだ。
Yuukan na shoobooshi ga kaji no naka ni tobikonda.
The brave firefighter jumped into the burning building.
失敗を恐れずに挑戦する勇気が大切だ。
Shippai wo osorezuni chousen suru yuuki ga taisetsu da.
The courage to take on challenges without fearing failure is what matters.
あの選手の勇ましいプレーに観客は感動した。
Ano senshu no isamashii puree ni kankyaku wa kandoo shita.
The audience was moved by that athlete's courageous play.
彼女は勇気づけられて、新しい仕事に挑んだ。
Kanojo wa yuuki-zukerarete, atarashii shigoto ni idonda.
Encouraged, she took on the new job with determination.
武士の武勇は今でも伝説として語り継がれている。
Bushi no buyuu wa ima demo densetsu to shite kataritsugarete iru.
The warrior's valor is still passed down as a legend to this day.
蛮勇だけでは難しい問題は解決できない。
Ban'yuu dake de wa muzukashii mondai wa kaiketsu dekinai.
Reckless courage alone cannot solve difficult problems.
社長は健康のために勇退することを決意した。
Shachoo wa kenkoo no tame ni yuutai suru koto wo ketsui shita.
The company president decided to step down honorably for the sake of his health.
子供たちは勇者のように冒険に出かけた。
Kodomotachi wa yuusha no you ni booken ni dekaketa.
The children set off on an adventure like brave heroes.
Memory Tip
Focus on the bottom half of 勇: the radical 力 (power). Picture a warrior channeling all their strength through a narrow passageway — pushing forward through resistance. That image is courage itself: not fearlessness, but the will to keep moving anyway.
For vocabulary, anchor yourself to 勇気 (yuuki). Imagine a samurai crying out 「勇気！」 before charging into battle. See 力 at the base, and the meaning locks in.