勇敢
yǒnggǎn · HSK 4
brave
🦁 勇敢 = 勇 (courage) + 敢 (dare)
勇 (yǒng) means courage or bravery; 敢 (gǎn) means to dare. Together they describe someone bold enough to act despite fear. The 力 (strength) component sits under 甬 in 勇, hinting at force behind the courage.
敢 — 耳 ear + 又 hand (right) + 攵-like top
Oracle bone forms show a hand seizing an animal or object, suggesting boldness in taking hold. Later script regularized the shape, with components resembling a hand grasping near an ear. The original sense of daring to seize extended to the modern meaning 'to dare' or 'bold.'