勇|ゆうyuu[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounbravery; courage; heroism

• Synonym勇気ゆうきNeutralThe everyday word for courage, as in 「勇気を出す」; 「勇」 is a written single character seen mostly in 「勇を鼓す」 and compounds.
• Synonym度胸どきょうCasualColloquial: the nerve to face things without flinching, as in 「度胸がある」; 「勇」 points to bravery as a quality.
• Synonym勇猛ゆうもうWrittenWritten/formal prose for fearless valor, as in 「勇猛果敢」; 「勇」 is more concise.
• Synonym胆力たんりょくWrittenWritten/formal prose for fearless nerve and grit; 「勇」 centers on bravery itself.
• Synonym剛勇ごうゆうWrittenWritten/formal prose for stalwart, martial bravery, as in 「剛勇無双」; 「勇」 is the more concise way to say it.
• Synonym肝っ玉きもったまCasualColloquial for guts and backbone, as in 「肝っ玉母さん」; 「勇」 is the more literary choice.
• Synonym肝玉きもだまCasualColloquial word for guts and spirit; 「勇」 is a written single character.
• Synonym豪気ごうきCasualColloquial for a bold, dauntless spirit; 「勇」 stays with courage itself.
• Synonym勇敢さゆうかんさNeutralNames the degree of being brave; 「勇」 is a written single character.
• Synonym勇力ゆうりょくWrittenWritten/formal prose for bravery as physical, martial strength; 「勇」 stresses courage of spirit.
• Synonym荒肝あらぎもCasualColloquial; at root it means nerve or pluck, but it mostly appears in 「荒肝を抜く」, to startle someone badly.
• Synonym胆気たんきWrittenWritten/formal prose for nerve and daring; 「勇」 is more concise.
• Related意気いきNeutralNeutral: an aggressive, go-getting spirit, as in 「意気揚々」; 「勇」 is about bravery.
• Related根性こんじょうCasualColloquial for grit and staying power, as in 「根性がある」; 「勇」 is about bravery.
• Antonym臆WrittenAntonym in written/formal prose: timidity, mostly as 「臆する」; the opposite of brave 「勇」.

For everyday courage use 「勇気」; 「勇」 itself is a written single character, seen in 「勇を鼓す」 and compounds. For nerve or guts, colloquial speech prefers 「度胸」 and 「肝っ玉」, while written prose offers 「胆力」 and 「胆気」. Use 「剛勇」 and 「勇猛」 for martial valor, 「根性」 for grit, 「意気」 for fighting spirit, and 「臆」 as the opposite of brave.

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

1. (ゆう) 心こころが強つよく。いさましいこと。勇気ゆうき。