How to say "brave" in Japanese

• 勇敢ゆうかんJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounThe most direct equivalent for the adjective 'brave': a person or act showing courage in the face of danger. If you simply mean that someone is brave, this is the word you want.
  彼かれは勇敢ゆうかんでかいかつな少年しょうねんだ。↗

  He is a brave and cheerful boy.
• 勇ましいいさましいJLPT N2approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers 'brave' as a gallant, valiant manner: it often describes a spirited, fearless look or bearing — how brave someone appears or acts — rather than inner courage alone.
  一人ひとりで原始林げんしりんへ乗り込のりこもうとは君きみはなんて勇いさましいんだ。↗

  How brave of you to go alone into the primaeval forest!
• 冒すおかすCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbThe verb of the set: use it when 'brave' means to face, venture, or risk something dangerous, with the danger as the object — the other words here are all descriptive, not verbal.
• 勇猛ゆうもうCommon
  na-adjective, nounBrave with an added sense of daring and boldness: fiercer and more intense than 勇敢. It fits fearless, forceful courage rather than quiet, everyday bravery.
• 勇壮ゆうそうCommon
  na-adjectiveBrave in the sense of heroic and majestic: it describes a grand, soul-stirring appearance or scene rather than a person's courage, so it is seldom the word for simply calling someone brave.

Use 勇敢 for straightforward personal courage, 「勇ましい」 for a gallant, spirited manner, 勇猛 for intense daring, 勇壮 for heroic majesty, and 「冒す」 when 'brave' is a verb meaning to face or risk danger.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 勇敢ゆうかんbrave
• 勇ましいいさましいbrave
• 冒すおかすto brave
• 勇猛ゆうもうdaring
• 勇壮ゆうそうheroic
• 伝法でんぽうbrazen (esp. of a woman's behavior)
• 壮烈そうれつheroic
• 潔いいさぎよいgracious (defeat, apology, etc.)
• 健気けなげadmirable
• 気丈きじょうstout-hearted
• ブレイブbrave
• 凛々しいりりしいgallant
• 雄々しいおおしいmanly
• 洸洸こうこうvaliant
• 勇気あるゆうきあるcourageous
• 猛きたけきvaliant
• 豪気ごうきsturdy spirit
• 耐えるたえるto support
• 雄おmanly
• 気丈夫きじょうぶstout-hearted
• 押すおすto do ... in spite of ...
• 突くつくto brave (the rain, etc.)