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Kotomora

勇

courage, cheer up, be in high spirits, bravery, heroism

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · grade 4FrequencyTop 2,000Strokes9

Readings

On'yomi

  • ユウ

Kun'yomi

  • いさ.む

Nanori

  • お
  • はや

Meaning

勇 centers on inner strength that pushes someone to act despite fear or difficulty: courage, bravery, and heroism. The senses of cheering up and being in high spirits are natural expressions of that bold, uplifted energy.

Most common words using 勇

20 of 79
  • 勇気ゆうき
    N3

    courage; bravery; valour; valor; nerve; boldness

  • 勇ゆう

    bravery; courage; heroism

  • 勇者ゆうしゃ

    hero; the brave; man of valour (valor)

  • 勇敢ゆうかん
    N1

    brave; courageous; gallant; valiant; heroic

  • 勇士ゆうし

    brave warrior; hero; brave man

  • 勇魚いさな

    whale

  • 勇ましいいさましい
    N2

    brave; valiant; gallant; courageous

  • 勇むいさむ

    to be in high spirits; to be encouraged; to be lively; to cheer up

  • 勇気づけゆうきづけ

    encouragement

  • 義勇ぎゆう

    heroism; loyalty and courage

  • 勇姿ゆうし

    brave figure; valiant figure; heroic figure; gallant figure

  • 義勇軍ぎゆうぐん

    volunteer army

  • 勇退ゆうたい

    retiring voluntarily; resigning one's post (to make way for others); stepping down; bowing out

  • 愛羅武勇アイラブユー

    I love you

  • 勇み足いさみあし

    overeagerness; rashness

  • 蛮勇ばんゆう

    foolhardiness; recklessness; savage valour; savage valor; brute courage

  • 勇気づけるゆうきづける

    to encourage; to cheer

  • 武勇ぶゆう

    bravery; military prowess; valour; valor

  • 勇壮ゆうそう

    heroic; brave; majestic; soul-stirring; lively; gallant

  • 勇断ゆうだん

    resolute decision

Explore all words using 勇 →

Study

Etymology

勇 combines 甬 (a phonetic component suggesting a hollow tube or pathway) with 力 (strength), together expressing the idea of strength welling up from within like water through a channel.

Meaning mnemonic

The top part 甬 looks like a sprout pushing through a field, and the bottom 力 is strength. Picture a courageous sprout using all its strength to break through the soil and cheer up toward the sun.

Reading mnemonic

For ユウ, imagine a brave hero shouting 'You!' as they charge forward: 'You!' -> ユウ, and that bold call shows their courage.