勇敢
yǒng gǎn HSK 4

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

他很勇敢,不怕黑。
Tā hěn yǒnggǎn, bú pà hēi.
He is very brave and not afraid of the dark.
勇敢的人会成功。
Yǒnggǎn de rén huì chénggōng.
Brave people will succeed.
她勇敢地说出想法。
Tā yǒnggǎn de shuō chū xiǎngfǎ.
She bravely expressed her thoughts.
他很勇敢。
Tā hěn yǒnggǎn.
He is brave.
勇敢的孩子。
Yǒnggǎn de háizi.
A brave child.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 勇 (yǒng) looks like a person (力) standing on a platform (甬), ready to act, and 敢 (gǎn) sounds like 'dare'. Think: 'A person dares to be brave on a platform.'

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in register, suitable for both formal and informal contexts in spoken and written Chinese. It is commonly used to praise individuals in situations involving danger, moral challenges, or difficult decisions, such as in stories, news reports, or everyday encouragement.

📖 Grammar Points

Often used as a predicate adjective (e.g., 他很勇敢) or as an adverbial modifier with 地 (e.g., 勇敢地战斗). It can also be part of subject-predicate structures like 勇敢是一种美德 (Bravery is a virtue).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 勇敢 is traditionally valued as a virtue, often associated with heroes in history and literature. It is encouraged not just in physical bravery but also in standing up for justice and truth, reflecting Confucian ideals of moral courage.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar to 大胆 (dàdǎn, bold/audacious), which focuses more on willingness to take risks, sometimes with a hint of recklessness. 勇敢 emphasizes moral or physical courage in the face of fear, while 大胆 is more about fearlessness in action or expression.

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