How to say "courage" in Japanese

• 勇気ゆうきJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe general word for courage as an inner quality: the bravery to act, speak, or endure despite fear. When you need to translate 'courage' in ordinary contexts, 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.
• 度胸どきょうCommon
  nounCourage as nerve or pluck in a concrete, often risky situation — the guts to face something intimidating or go through with something daunting. It describes boldness shown in action rather than inner resolve.
  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: the bold spirit of a hero. On its own it is seldom the word you actually reach for to say 'courage' in a sentence — for that, use 勇気.
• 肝きもCommon
  nounLiterally 'liver': guts or pluck — courage figured as something in the body. Seldom a straight translation of 'courage'; it really means 'guts' and turns up chiefly in expressions about having or losing one's nerve.

Use 勇気 for courage as an inner quality in most contexts; 度胸 for nerve and pluck in a risky, concrete situation; 勇 for heroic bravery rather than everyday courage; 肝 for 'guts', chiefly in fixed expressions.

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

• 勇気ゆうきcourage
• 度胸どきょうcourage
• 勇ゆうbravery
• カレッジcourage
• 胆力たんりょくcourage
• 鋭気えいきcourage
• 勇力ゆうりょくcourage
• 胆気たんきcourage
• 強心臓きょうしんぞうboldness
• 勇烈ゆうれつbravery
• 肝きもcourage
• 腹はらcourage