Meaning
勇
yǒng
Courage
- 勇
- courage, bravery
Short and readable, a classic choice for small tattoos.
Courage in Chinese
The Chinese word for courage is 勇 (yǒng). Short and readable, a classic choice for small tattoos.
勇
yǒng
Courage
What 勇 means.
勇 means brave. In Confucian thought it is one of three classic virtues together with wisdom (智) and benevolence (仁); the Analects says 勇者不惧, “the brave do not fear”. 勇气 is the everyday noun for courage.
- 勇
- courage, bravery
Simplified and traditional
勇
勇
勇 is written the same way in simplified and traditional Chinese, so every Chinese reader recognises it.
Pick the shade of meaning.
Chinese often has more than one word where English has one. Here is how they differ.
Meaning
勇气
yǒng qì
Courage
- 勇
- courage, bravery
- 气
- spirit, energy
The everyday two-character word for courage.
About courage in Chinese
How do you write courage in Chinese?
Courage is 勇 in Chinese, pronounced yǒng. Courage
How do you pronounce 勇?
Say yǒng (third tone, dipping). Mandarin tones change meaning, so it is worth listening to a native speaker once.
Is 勇 different in traditional Chinese?
No. 勇 is written the same way in simplified and traditional Chinese.
What other Chinese words mean courage?
勇气 (yǒng qì): Courage The everyday two-character word for courage.
Is 勇 a good Chinese tattoo?
Yes, it is a real, everyday Chinese word rather than a machine translation, so Chinese readers will understand it. As a single character it works even at small sizes. Choose a readable style such as Kaishu, bring a clean reference to your artist, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.