How to say "fearless" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 不敵ふてきna-adjective, nounThe common, general word for bold fearlessness: facing danger with composure and defiance rather than anxiety. Use it when 'daring,' 'intrepid,' or 'bold' would also fit in English.
- 根性のすわったこんじょうのすわったprenominal modifierA descriptive phrase, literally 'with one's guts settled': fearless through deep-seated grit and unshakable nerve. It characterizes a person of steely inner toughness, and is less common than 不敵.
- 恐れを知らないおそれをしらないexpression, i-adjectiveLiterally 'knowing no fear': it states the outright absence of fear, describing a person whose daring comes from simply not knowing fear at all. Less common than 不敵.
- 大胆不敵だいたんふてきna-adjective, nounA four-character compound fusing 'bold' and 'fearless': audacious daring stated with extra force. It fits strikingly bold, audacious behavior, and is less common than 不敵 alone.
- 腹の据わったはらのすわったexpression, prenominal modifierLiterally 'with one's belly settled': fearless in the sense of calm, unwavering composure under pressure. It describes a person who stays steady and decisive in a crisis; less common than 不敵.
Choose the common 不敵 for general bold fearlessness; the descriptive phrases 「根性のすわった」 and 「腹の据わった」 for steely, unshakable nerve; 「恐れを知らない」 for the plain absence of fear; and 大胆不敵 for audacious, intensified daring.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
