How to say "bravery" in Japanese

• 勇気ゆうきJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe general word for courage: the inner strength to face fear, pain, or danger and act anyway. Unless the sense is specifically martial or a matter of nerve, this is the word you want.
  我々われわれは彼女かのじょの勇気ゆうきに感心かんしんする。↗

  We admire her for her bravery.
• 武勇ぶゆうCommon
  nounBravery of the fighting kind: martial valor and heroic feats in battle. Because it centers on military prowess, it is not the word for everyday courage — use 勇気 there.
• 度胸どきょうCommon
  nounNerve or pluck: the guts and steadiness to face a risky situation without flinching. It points to boldness of temperament, where 勇気 points to the courage you summon to act.
  あいつの度胸どきょうを試ためしてみよう。↗

  I'll put his courage to the test.
• 勇ゆうCommon
  nounBravery or heroism as an abstract quality or virtue, the same character that begins 勇気. On its own it is seldom the word you need in a sentence; use 勇気 instead.

Use 勇気 for courage in general; 度胸 for nerve or guts in a risky situation; 武勇 for martial valor in battle; and 勇 for bravery as an abstract virtue, though 勇気 is usually the word you need.

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

• 勇気ゆうきcourage
• 武勇ぶゆうbravery
• 度胸どきょうcourage
• 勇ゆうbravery
• 壮そうvibrancy
• 剛ごうstrength
• 剛勇ごうゆうbravery
• 勇敢さゆうかんさbravery
• 勇武ゆうぶbravery
• 勇烈ゆうれつbravery
• 雄武ゆうぶbravery
• 驍勇ぎょうゆうbravery
• 勇侠ゆうきょうchivalry