Hello, I’m Kodak.
You want to say “courage” in Japanese, so you look it up and find:
yūki / yuuki
What do the two kanji mean, and how do I actually use the word in a sentence?
It combines:
勇 = brave, courageous, strong
気 = spirit, mind, energy
The core image is “the inner strength to face something difficult or frightening.”
勇気 (yūki / yuuki)
⇒ courage
⇒ bravery
⇒ the mental strength to face danger, difficulty, fear, or an uncomfortable situation
勇気を出す
⇒ to gather up one’s courage
⇒ to be brave enough to act
勇気がある
⇒ to have courage
⇒ to be courageous
勇気をもらう
⇒ to gain courage or encouragement from someone or something
- 1 What Does Yuuki (勇気) Mean in Japanese?
- 2 The Core Image of 勇気: Inner Strength That Moves You Forward
- 3 Yuuki Japanese Courage Kanji: What Do 勇 and 気 Mean?
- 4 How to Pronounce Yuuki (勇気)
- 5 How to Use 勇気 in Japanese
- 6 Useful Grammar Patterns with 勇気
- 7 勇気 vs 勇敢: Courage vs Brave
- 8 勇気 vs 度胸 vs 根性: Courage, Nerve, and Grit
- 9 Is Yuuki a Japanese Name?
- 10 Does 勇気 Work as a Courage Tattoo Kanji?
- 11 How Yuuki Is Used in Anime, Manga, and Songs
- 12 Natural Ways to Encourage Someone with 勇気
- 13 Common Beginner Mistakes
- 14 Natural Example Sentences with 勇気
- 15 FAQ About Yuuki and the Japanese Courage Kanji
- 15.1 What does yuuki mean in Japanese?
- 15.2 What is the Japanese kanji for courage?
- 15.3 How do you pronounce yuuki?
- 15.4 What is the difference between yuuki and yuki?
- 15.5 How do you say “have courage” in Japanese?
- 15.6 What does yuuki wo dasu mean?
- 15.7 What is the difference between 勇気 and 勇敢?
- 15.8 What is the difference between 勇気 and 度胸?
- 15.9 Is Yuuki a Japanese name?
- 15.10 Can 勇気 be used for a tattoo meaning courage?
- 16 Summary: Yuuki Meaning and the 勇気 Courage Kanji
- 17 References
What Does Yuuki (勇気) Mean in Japanese?
勇気 means the strength of mind that allows someone to face danger, difficulty, pain, fear, embarrassment, or uncertainty without giving in.
Japanese dictionaries define it as a brave spirit or strong will that does not fear difficulty or danger.
Hiragana: ゆうき
Romaji: yūki / yuuki
English: courage; bravery
Part of speech: noun
彼には真実を話す勇気があった。
Kare ni wa shinjitsu o hanasu yūki ga atta.
He had the courage to tell the truth.
勇気を出して、彼女に謝った。
Yūki o dashite, kanojo ni ayamatta.
I gathered my courage and apologized to her.
Apologizing, asking for help, speaking honestly, trying something new, or admitting a mistake can all require 勇気.
Entering a dangerous place to help someone
Moral courage
Speaking against something unfair
Emotional courage
Admitting your feelings or apologizing
Everyday courage
Trying something new despite being nervous
The Core Image of 勇気: Inner Strength That Moves You Forward
Fear and courage are not opposites in the sense that courage requires the complete absence of fear.
In many natural uses of 勇気, the person feels afraid, nervous, or uncertain—but finds enough inner strength to act anyway.
You feel fear, uncertainty, or pressure
↓
You find mental and emotional strength inside yourself
↓
You move toward the difficult action instead of avoiding it
However, 勇気 often feels most meaningful when there is a real fear, risk, or inner resistance to overcome.
Yuuki Japanese Courage Kanji: What Do 勇 and 気 Mean?
The word 勇気 consists of two kanji.
On-reading: ユウ (yū)
Kun-reading: いさむ (isamu)
Meanings: brave, courageous, strong, spirited, decisive
気
On-readings: キ (ki), ケ (ke)
Meanings in this word: mind, spirit, inner energy, mental force
Together, the two kanji give a memorable semantic image:
＋
気 (spirit / inner energy)
＝
勇気 (courage)
the brave spirit or inner strength needed to face difficulty
For a natural English translation, use courage or bravery. But imagining “brave inner energy” helps connect the kanji.
The Kanji Origin of 勇
勇 is a phono-semantic character. Traditional character analysis explains it as combining 力, which contributes the idea of strength, with 甬, which supplies the sound.
The character expresses the idea of energy or strength welling up.
semantic element related to strength or force
＋
甬
phonetic element indicating the sound
↓
勇
brave; courageous; filled with strong spirit
It is useful to separate a verified historical formation from a modern mnemonic invented only to make the character easier to remember.
What Does 気 Mean in 勇気?
気 has many meanings, including air, atmosphere, mood, consciousness, temperament, and mental energy.
In 勇気, it refers mainly to a person’s spirit, mind, motivation, or inner force.
willpower; mental energy
元気 (genki)
healthy; energetic; well
弱気 (yowaki)
timid; pessimistic; losing confidence
強気 (tsuyoki)
confident; assertive; bullish
勇気 (yūki)
courage; brave inner strength
Related: What Does 気 (Ki) Mean in Japanese?
How to Pronounce Yuuki (勇気)
Hiragana: ゆうき
Romaji with macron: yūki
Romaji without macron: yuuki
Mora: ゆ・う・き (3 morae)
The ū in yūki is a long vowel. Hold the yu sound for approximately two morae before saying ki.
ゆうき (yūki / yuuki) has a long vowel and three morae.
ゆき (yuki) has two morae and may mean “snow” when written 雪.
The vowel length can change the word, so try not to shorten yūki.
ゆ・う・き
yūki / yuuki
courage
雪
ゆ・き
yuki
snow
How to Use 勇気 in Japanese
1. 勇気がある: To Have Courage
Use 勇気がある to say that someone has courage.
[Person] has courage.
[Verb] 勇気がある
to have the courage to [verb]
彼女には勇気がある。
Kanojo ni wa yūki ga aru.
She has courage.
私には本当のことを言う勇気がなかった。
Watashi ni wa hontō no koto o iu yūki ga nakatta.
I did not have the courage to tell the truth.
Japanese commonly uses ある for “to have” abstract qualities or opportunities:
勇気がある = courage exists in/for the person = the person has courage.
2. 勇気を出す: To Gather Up the Courage
勇気を出す is one of the most useful expressions for beginners.
literally: bring out courage
naturally:
⇒ gather up one’s courage
⇒ find the courage
⇒ be brave enough to act
勇気を出して話しかけた。
Yūki o dashite hanashikaketa.
I gathered my courage and spoke to him/her.
勇気を出して、自分の気持ちを伝えてみて。
Yūki o dashite, jibun no kimochi o tsutaete mite.
Gather your courage and try telling them how you feel.
3. 勇気が出る: To Feel Courage Arise
勇気を出す focuses on actively bringing out courage. 勇気が出る describes courage naturally arising or becoming available.
You actively gather your courage.
勇気が出る
Courage arises; you begin to feel brave enough.
あなたの言葉を聞いて、勇気が出た。
Anata no kotoba o kiite, yūki ga deta.
Hearing your words gave me courage.
4. 勇気をもらう: To Gain Courage from Someone
勇気をもらう literally means “to receive courage.” It is commonly used when a person, story, song, or action inspires you.
彼の挑戦する姿から勇気をもらった。
Kare no chōsen suru sugata kara yūki o moratta.
I gained courage from watching him take on the challenge.
この曲を聴くと勇気をもらえる。
Kono kyoku o kiku to yūki o moraeru.
This song gives me courage.
Natural English choices include “gain courage,” “feel encouraged,” “be inspired,” or “give me strength.”
5. 勇気を与える: To Give Someone Courage
彼女の行動は多くの人に勇気を与えた。
Kanojo no kōdō wa ōku no hito ni yūki o ataeta.
Her actions gave courage to many people.
6. 勇気づける: To Encourage
勇気づける means to encourage someone or give them confidence.
友達の言葉が私を勇気づけてくれた。
Tomodachi no kotoba ga watashi o yūkizukete kureta.
My friend’s words encouraged me.
The kana づ is pronounced the same as, or very close to, ず in standard Japanese.
7. 勇気が湧く: Courage Wells Up
応援の声を聞いて、勇気が湧いてきた。
Ōen no koe o kiite, yūki ga waite kita.
Hearing the cheers made courage well up inside me.
8. 勇気を振り絞る: To Muster Every Ounce of Courage
振り絞る means to squeeze out or summon all of something.
最後の勇気を振り絞って、助けを求めた。
Saigo no yūki o furishibotte, tasuke o motometa.
I mustered the last of my courage and asked for help.
Useful Grammar Patterns with 勇気
[Verb] + 勇気がある／ない
This pattern means “to have/not have the courage to do something.”
have the courage to…
Dictionary-form verb + 勇気がない
not have the courage to…
一人で海外へ行く勇気がありますか。
Hitori de kaigai e iku yūki ga arimasu ka.
Do you have the courage to go abroad alone?
断る勇気がなかった。
Kotowaru yūki ga nakatta.
I did not have the courage to say no.
[Verb] + のは勇気がいる
勇気がいる means that something requires courage.
間違いを認めるのは勇気がいる。
Machigai o mitomeru no wa yūki ga iru.
It takes courage to admit a mistake.
So 勇気がいる means “courage is required.”
勇気 vs 勇敢: Courage vs Brave
勇気 and 勇敢 are closely related, but they play different grammatical roles.
Noun: courage; bravery
勇敢 (yūkan)
な-adjective / noun: brave; courageous; bravery
彼には勇気がある。
Kare ni wa yūki ga aru.
He has courage.
彼は勇敢な人だ。
Kare wa yūkan na hito da.
He is a brave person.
Say:
勇気のある人 = a person with courage
or
勇敢な人 = a brave person.
a courageous person
○ 勇敢な人
a brave person
× 勇気な人
勇気 vs 度胸 vs 根性: Courage, Nerve, and Grit
courage to face fear, danger, difficulty, or emotional resistance
度胸 (dokyō)
nerve, guts, boldness, or composure in a tense situation
根性 (konjō)
grit, fighting spirit, perseverance, or toughness
勇敢 (yūkan)
brave or courageous; often describes a person or action
大胆 (daitan)
bold, daring, or audacious; emphasizes acting without hesitation
勇気 ⇒ Can you act even though you are afraid?
度胸 ⇒ Can you stay bold and composed under pressure?
根性 ⇒ Can you keep going when things become painful or exhausting?
大胆 ⇒ Can you take a big, daring action?
勇気を出して告白した。
I gathered my courage and confessed my feelings.
⇒ Overcoming fear or nervousness.
大勢の前で堂々と話すなんて、度胸がある。
Speaking confidently in front of that many people takes guts.
⇒ Bold composure under pressure.
最後まで諦めない根性がある。
He/she has the grit not to give up until the end.
⇒ Persistence and toughness.
彼女は大胆な決断をした。
She made a bold decision.
⇒ A large, daring action.
Is Yuuki a Japanese Name?
Yūki can also be a Japanese given name. However, a person named Yūki may use many possible kanji combinations—not only 勇気.
勇気
勇樹
悠希
優希
祐希
The meaning depends on the exact kanji chosen.
Japanese names with the same pronunciation can use different kanji and therefore carry different meanings.
Does 勇気 Work as a Courage Tattoo Kanji?
勇気 correctly means “courage” in Japanese, so it is semantically appropriate if that is the concept you want.
However, remember that it is a complete two-kanji word. Using only 勇 gives the idea of bravery or valor, but it is not exactly the same everyday noun as 勇気.
the ordinary Japanese noun “courage”
勇
bravery, valor, courageous spirit; also used as a component in words and names
For the concept itself, the normal kanji spelling is 勇気.
How Yuuki Is Used in Anime, Manga, and Songs
勇気 is common in stories about friendship, adventure, personal growth, and overcoming fear.
Be brave! / Gather your courage!
A forceful command.
君の勇気を見せてくれ。
Show me your courage.
本当の勇気って何だろう。
What is true courage?
君が勇気をくれた。
You gave me courage.
勇気があれば、きっとできる。
If you have courage, you can surely do it.
A friendlier expression is 勇気を出して or 勇気を出してみて.
Natural Ways to Encourage Someone with 勇気
Be brave. / Gather your courage.
大丈夫。勇気を出してみて。
It’s okay. Try to gather your courage.
あなたならできるよ。
You can do it.
その一歩を踏み出す勇気が大切だよ。
The courage to take that first step is important.
話してくれてありがとう。とても勇気が必要だったと思う。
Thank you for telling me. I think that took a lot of courage.
Sometimes acknowledging the difficulty—勇気が必要だったと思う—is more supportive than simply commanding them to be brave.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Pronouncing Yuuki Like Yuki
Keep the long vowel in ゆうき. Shortening it to ゆき can produce a different word or name.
Mistake 2: Using 勇気 as an Adjective
○ 勇気のある人
a courageous person
○ 勇敢な人
a brave person
Mistake 3: Translating 勇気を出す Word for Word
“Take out courage” is not natural English. Translate it as “gather up one’s courage,” “find the courage,” or “be brave enough.”
Mistake 4: Assuming 勇気 Only Means Physical Bravery
The word is also common for emotional honesty, apologizing, setting boundaries, asking for help, and attempting something new.
Mistake 5: Assuming Every Person Named Yūki Uses 勇気
The name Yūki can be written with many kanji combinations. Always check the actual spelling before explaining its meaning.
Natural Example Sentences with 勇気
勇気を出して、先生に質問した。
Yūki o dashite, sensei ni shitsumon shita.
I gathered my courage and asked the teacher a question.
彼には間違いを認める勇気があった。
Kare ni wa machigai o mitomeru yūki ga atta.
He had the courage to admit his mistake.
私には一人で行く勇気がない。
Watashi ni wa hitori de iku yūki ga nai.
I do not have the courage to go alone.
あなたの言葉に勇気づけられました。
Anata no kotoba ni yūkizukeraremashita.
Your words encouraged me.
彼女の生き方から勇気をもらった。
Kanojo no ikikata kara yūki o moratta.
Her way of life gave me courage.
新しいことに挑戦するには勇気がいる。
Atarashii koto ni chōsen suru ni wa yūki ga iru.
It takes courage to try something new.
ほんの少しの勇気が、人生を変えることもある。
Honno sukoshi no yūki ga, jinsei o kaeru koto mo aru.
A little courage can sometimes change your life.
怖かったけれど、勇気を振り絞って声を上げた。
Kowakatta keredo, yūki o furishibotte koe o ageta.
I was afraid, but I mustered my courage and spoke up.
彼の勇気ある行動を忘れない。
Kare no yūki aru kōdō o wasurenai.
I will not forget his courageous action.
失敗を恐れずに進む勇気を持ちたい。
Shippai o osorezu ni susumu yūki o mochitai.
I want to have the courage to move forward without fearing failure.
助けを求めることも勇気の一つだ。
Tasuke o motomeru koto mo yūki no hitotsu da.
Asking for help is also a form of courage.
本当の勇気は、怖くないことではない。
Hontō no yūki wa, kowakunai koto de wa nai.
True courage is not the absence of fear.
FAQ About Yuuki and the Japanese Courage Kanji
What does yuuki mean in Japanese?
勇気 (yūki / yuuki) means “courage” or “bravery”—the mental strength to face fear, danger, difficulty, or an uncomfortable situation.
What is the Japanese kanji for courage?
The ordinary Japanese word for courage is written 勇気. The first kanji, 勇, means brave or courageous, while 気 refers here to spirit, mind, or inner energy.
How do you pronounce yuuki?
勇気 is pronounced ゆうき, romanized yūki or yuuki. The vowel is long, so it has three morae: ゆ・う・き.
What is the difference between yuuki and yuki?
Yūki / yuuki has a long vowel and can mean “courage” when written 勇気. Yuki has a short vowel and may mean “snow” when written 雪. They are not pronounced identically.
How do you say “have courage” in Japanese?
Use 勇気がある. For example, 彼には勇気がある means “He has courage.”
What does yuuki wo dasu mean?
勇気を出す literally means “bring out courage” and naturally means “gather up one’s courage,” “find the courage,” or “be brave enough to act.”
What is the difference between 勇気 and 勇敢?
勇気 is the noun “courage.” 勇敢 functions as a な-adjective meaning “brave” or “courageous.” Say 勇気のある人 or 勇敢な人, not 勇気な人.
What is the difference between 勇気 and 度胸?
勇気 emphasizes overcoming fear or difficulty. 度胸 emphasizes nerve, boldness, and composure under pressure.
Is Yuuki a Japanese name?
Yes. Yūki can be a given name, but it may be written with many different kanji combinations. Do not assume that every person named Yūki writes it as 勇気.
Can 勇気 be used for a tattoo meaning courage?
Yes. 勇気 is the standard Japanese noun for “courage.” Using only 勇 conveys bravery or valor but is not identical to the complete word 勇気.
Which “Courage” Word Fits? 30-Second Check
Yuuki, dokyo, or konjo? Answer two quick questions to pick the right word.
Courage, the strength to move toward the fear.
Nerve, guts, boldness in a tense moment.
Grit, persistence, fighting spirit.
Noun + ある, e.g. 勇気のある人.
な-adjective. Not 勇気な人.
※ 勇気 is a noun, not a な-adjective, so 勇気な人 is incorrect.
Summary: Yuuki Meaning and the 勇気 Courage Kanji
勇気 means “courage” or “bravery.”
● Kanji
勇 = brave, courageous, strong
気 = spirit, mind, inner energy
● Core image
The inner strength to move toward a difficult or frightening action.
● Pronunciation
ゆうき = yūki / yuuki
Keep the long vowel; it is different from yuki.
● Essential expression
勇気を出す = gather up one’s courage
● Other useful patterns
勇気がある = have courage
勇気がない = lack the courage
勇気がいる = require courage
勇気をもらう = gain courage or inspiration
勇気づける = encourage
● Grammar warning
Say 勇気のある人 or 勇敢な人—not 勇気な人.
勇気 ⇒ courage
勇気がある ⇒ have courage
勇気を出す ⇒ gather up one’s courage
Then connect the kanji as 勇 (brave) + 気 (inner spirit). That image will help the word stay in your memory!
References
- Kotobank: 勇気 — definitions and an early Japanese example from the late fourteenth-century Taiheiki.
- Kanjipedia: 勇 — meanings, readings, and character formation.
- Kanjipedia: 気 — meanings including mind, consciousness, disposition, and mental energy.
- Kotobank Japanese–English Dictionary: 勇気 — English equivalents and usage examples.
- Kotobank: 勇敢 — definition and grammatical usage.
- Kotobank: 勇気付ける — definition and historical example.
