侠
tomboy, chivalry
Readings
On'yomi
- キョウ
Kun'yomi
- きゃん
- おとこだて
Meaning
侠 centers on a spirited, chivalrous person who acts with bold independence—a tomboy or a gallant figure who stands up for others.
Most common words using 侠
- 任侠にんきょう
chivalry; chivalrous spirit; helping the weak and fighting the strong
- 侠きゃん
pert; tomboyish; impudent; lively; boisterous
- 義侠ぎきょう
chivalry; generosity
- 侠客きょうかく
self-styled humanitarian; person acting under the pretence of chivalry while participating in gangs and engaging in gambling
- お侠おきゃん
pert; tomboyish; impudent; lively; boisterous
- 任侠団体にんきょうだんたい
yakuza group; chivalrous organization
- 任侠映画にんきょうえいが
yakuza film; yakuza movie
- 侠勇きょうゆう
gallantry; chivalry
- 侠友会きょうゆうかい
Kyoyukai (Hyogo-based yakuza syndicate)
- 侠女きょうじょ
gallant woman
- 侠心きょうしん
chivalrous spirit; chivalry
- 侠骨きょうこつ
chivalrous spirit
- 勇侠ゆうきょう
chivalry; bravery
- 武侠ぶきょう
chivalry; gallantry; heroism
- 武侠小説ぶきょうしょうせつ
swashbuckling stories; martial arts fiction; chivalric knight novels; wuxia xiaoshuo
- 義侠の士ぎきょうのし
paladin
- 義侠心ぎきょうしん
chivalrous spirit
- 遊侠ゆうきょう
chivalrous person
Study
Etymology
侠 combines 亻 (person) with 夹, which likely contributes the sound and suggests a person who is pressed between or stands between others—a chivalrous intermediary. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
A person 亻 who carries a big 夹 (like a clamp or frame) on their shoulder, striding confidently like a chivalrous tomboy ready to help.
Reading mnemonic
For キョウ, imagine a chivalrous tomboy in Kyoto (京都, きょうと) defending the weak: Kyoto -> キョウ, and she embodies the spirit of 侠.