noun
chivalrous person; gallant; knight-errant
Refers to a person who embodies the ideals of chivalry, often associated with historical or literary contexts of wandering knights or selfless heroes. The term carries a somewhat romantic or old-fashioned flavor.
彼はまるで遊侠のような生き方をしている。
He lives like a chivalrous knight-errant.
遊侠の精神は現代にも通じるものがある。
The spirit of the gallant still resonates today.
任侠 emphasizes the duty and code of honor among yakuza or outlaws, while 遊侠 is more literary and refers to a chivalrous, wandering hero without the criminal undertones.
騎士道 is the Western concept of chivalry as a code of conduct for knights, whereas 遊侠 describes the person or the romantic ideal of a chivalrous adventurer.
Composed of 遊 (play, wander) and 侠 (chivalry, gallantry). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination suggests a wandering, chivalrous figure.