英雄(えいゆう)

えいゆう
noun
hero, great figure
1. hero, great figure, champion
A person of exceptional courage, ability, or achievement who is admired for their great deeds. Used for historical figures, legendary characters, and modern-day people who accomplish remarkable things.
彼(かれ)は国民(こくみん)の英雄(えいゆう)だ。
He is a national hero.
歴史(れきし)に名(な)を残(のこ)した英雄(えいゆう)たちの物語(ものがたり)を読(よ)む。
Read stories of heroes who left their names in history.
英雄(えいゆう)色(いろ)を好(この)むということわざがあるが、実際(じっさい)の英雄(えいゆう)には質素(しっそ)な人(ひと)も多(おお)い。
There is a proverb that says heroes are fond of romance, but in reality, many great figures were frugal people.

USAGE NOTE:
英雄(えいゆう) is a somewhat literary or elevated word for "hero." In everyday conversation, ヒーロー (hero, loanword) is also widely used, especially for fictional or pop-culture heroes. 英雄(えいゆう) tends to suggest a more serious, historically significant figure.

The proverb 英雄(えいゆう)色(いろ)を好(この)む (heroes are fond of romance / great men have great appetites for love) is well known in Japanese.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 英雄(えいゆう)伝説(でんせつ) (hero legend)
  • 英雄(えいゆう)的(てき) (heroic)
  • 悲劇(ひげき)の英雄(えいゆう) (tragic hero)
  • 民族(みんぞく)の英雄(えいゆう) (national hero)
  • 英雄(えいゆう)色(いろ)を好(この)む (heroes are fond of romance — proverb)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • ヒーロー: hero (loanword, casual, often for fictional heroes)
  • 勇者(ゆうしゃ): brave warrior, hero (common in games and fantasy)
  • 豪傑(ごうけつ): bold hero, mighty warrior (emphasizes physical prowess)
general
Added 2026.2.28 9:55
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