Inner strength
Courage
yū / ゆう
Dictionary meaning
Bravery, boldness, and being courageous. It appears in words about acting with courage or resolve.
Your intended symbolism
Your personal symbolism is separate from the dictionary meaning. Explain what you want this choice to express to a fluent Japanese reader and your artist.
Context & cautions
This is the character for courage. The everyday word 勇気 (yūki) uses two characters; 勇 can also occur in names.
Size & legibility: discuss with your artist
There is no universal minimum tattoo size based on stroke count. Ask your artist to check line weight, the gaps between strokes, placement, and how the lettering may age. Preview dimensions include transparent margins and are not a safe minimum size.
Typeface, output quality & sources →- On’yomi
- ユウ · yū
- Kun’yomi
- いさむ · isamu
Selected readings are shown. On’yomi are readings of Chinese origin; kun’yomi are native Japanese readings. The word and context determine which is used.
Dictionary reference: Japanese dictionary entry ↗
Dictionary links are references only. They do not mean that the linked organization certifies, endorses, or supervises this site.
WATCH WITH KEN
What does courage mean to you?
Explore 勇 (yū), bravery, and its relationship to 勇気 (yūki), the word for courage.
Ken is an AI avatar with a voice cloned from the creator’s own recording with permission. Playing loads YouTube.
Watch on YouTube ↗PICTURE YOUR PLACEMENT
See your kanji on skin
Explore where your kanji could sit before discussing the final placement with your artist.
BEFORE YOU INK
Your meaning check
For Yu Kyokasho Bold lettering.
- Dictionary meaning
- Bravery, boldness, and being courageous. It appears in words about acting with courage or resolve.
- Context & limits
- This is the character for courage. The everyday word 勇気 (yūki) uses two characters; 勇 can also occur in names.
- Complete writing & selected reading
- 勇 · yū / ゆう
Loading your checklist…
These are your own acknowledgements, not professional verification or approval to tattoo. Review the final drawing and stencil together before tattooing.
Saved only in this browser. Your checklist is included when you add this kanji to an artist consultation sheet. It is not synced or sent to analytics. Changes to the entry’s meaning, reading, or lettering typeface reset these checks.
From character to lettering
This is a typeset reference, rather than a tattoo stencil. Check the final drawing, orientation, and intended meaning with a fluent Japanese reader and your artist.
Dictionary reference: Kanjipedia — 勇 ↗
Read the before-the-ink guide →
