敢

Traditionally explained as a pictographic–ideographic character.

In early forms (oracle bone script and bronze inscriptions), the character depicts:

- a fierce beast or dangerous object (often interpreted as a tiger or wild animal),

- a hand or striking implement (又 / 殳), indicating direct action against danger

This conveys the idea of boldly confronting something dangerous, which led to the core meaning “to dare”.

By the time of seal script (篆書), the structure stabilized, but in clerical script (隸書) the form became distorted, resulting in the modern shape 敢.

The modern Simplified Chinese form slightly modifies the upper-left component by connecting strokes more compactly, but the character remains 敢.

敢行 (감행) — to dare to carry out; to venture boldly

敢然 (감연) — resolutely; boldly (literary)

勇敢 (용감) — brave; courageous

果敢 (과감) — decisive; daring

敢斷 (감단) — bold decision; decisive judgment

敢死 (감사) — daring to face death; fearless (literary)

敢 combines physical courage and mental resolve, unlike 勇, which emphasizes bravery alone.

In classical prose, 敢 is often used ritually or politely, especially before asking questions or expressing opinions.

The phrase “감히” in modern Korean preserves this classical nuance: boldness mixed with humility.

Despite its strong meaning, 敢 can paradoxically sound modest or deferential in formal contexts.

Related characters:

勇 — bravery, courage

果 — decisiveness

猛 — fierceness

剛 — firmness, toughness

In classical Chinese, 敢 frequently appears in polite or deferential expressions (敢問, 敢言), where it softens a statement while still implying courage or resolve.

「敢問路在何方。」

May I dare to ask where the road lies?

《論語》 (The Analects)

「知其不可而敢為之。」

"Knowing it cannot be done, yet daring to do it."

《史記》 (Records of the Grand Historian)

「敢怒而不敢言。」

"They dared to be angry, but did not dare to speak."