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胆気 (たんき) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

胆たん気き

た

ん

き

Meanings

1

courage; guts; nerves of steel

A somewhat literary or formal word for boldness and fearless spirit. Often used in contexts requiring mental fortitude.

彼かれは胆たん気きのある男おとこだ。
He is a man of courage.

Kanji

胆gall bladder, courage, pluck
気spirit, mind, air

Related words

勇ゆう気き
勇気 is the common word for courage in everyday situations. 胆気 is more literary and emphasizes boldness and fearlessness.
度ど胸きょう
度胸 also means courage or nerve, but is more colloquial and often used for daring acts. 胆気 is more formal and less common.

Etymology

その決けつ断だんには胆たん気きが必ひつ要ようだった。

That decision required nerves of steel.

Compound of 胆 (gallbladder, also associated with courage in traditional Chinese medicine) and 気 (spirit, energy). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination suggests 'spirit of the gallbladder', i.e., boldness.