神勇 (shén yǒng) — extraordinarily brave; superhumanly courageous

Definition

An intensifier of 勇 ('brave'), used in literary/narrative style to mean 'superhumanly brave'. Much stronger than plain 勇敢 — for heroes, generals, and epic deeds, not everyday courage.

adjective
extraordinarily bravesuperhumanly courageous

Examples

  • 神勇，。
    Zhè wèi jiāng jūn shén yǒng wú bǐ, dài lǐng shì bīng dǎ shèng le zhàng.
    This general was extraordinarily brave, leading the soldiers to victory.
  • 神勇，。
    Diàn yǐng lǐ de yīng xióng shén yǒng shàn zhàn, lìng rén jìng pèi.
    The hero in the movie was extraordinarily brave and skilled in battle, which made people admire him.
  • 神勇。
    Tā shén yǒng de jǔ dòng jiù le hěn duō rén de mìng.
    His extraordinarily brave act saved many people's lives.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

神shéndivine
勇yǒngbrave

“神” adds the idea of divine or superhuman to “勇”, making courage seem beyond ordinary.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
示示shìgod; deity
Sound part声符shēngfú
申
申shēn神shén
Same sound today

The older form 申 drew lightning, which the ancients regarded as divine; 神 adds 示 (god/deity) to mark that meaning.

Open 神 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
力力lìstrong
Sound part声符shēngfú
甬
甬yǒng勇yǒng
Same sound today

勇 pairs 甬, which gives the sound, with 力, a strength part, to mean brave and strong.

Open 勇 →

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