Difference between 勇ましい and 勇敢な?

Hi,

Is there any difference (in the sense or when to use one versus the other) between those adjectives based on the kanji 勇 :

1/ i form = 勇ましい
Example from Jisho :
彼女は勇ましかった。
She was brave.

2/ NA form = 勇敢な
Example from Wanikani :
お前の父さんは、とても勇敢な戦士だったよ。
Your father was a very brave soldier.

Or can they be used interchangeably ?

Tx !

勇ましい is broader. You can use it to describe a person who isn’t doing anything but merely looks brave. 勇敢 can only describe brave behavior (or someone who has exhibited it). With regard to behavior they’d be basically interchangeable.

勇ましい行動 = 勇敢な行動
勇ましい姿 - the person appears brave (actions need not be part of the calculation)
勇敢な姿 - the person appears brave while actively doing something brave

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Thanks James for the detailed explanation.

And I learnt something new as well with “姿”, I didn’t know it could used like that. I guess that’s the difference between learning a word in a “dictionary” versus “in context with real sentences” :slight_smile:

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No problem.

I know it’s a little confusing, but my name’s not James. It’s a long story, but it was applied to me by the admins a long time ago, and now it comes back repeatedly even if I choose another title.

I gave up trying to fix it.

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:joy: :joy: :joy:
OK I’ll go for Leebo then !!!

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