けなげさ

noun

admirable courage; brave devotion; pluck

1. admirable courage; brave devotion; pluck; touching bravery

The quality of showing brave and determined effort despite being small, young, or in a weak position. Often evokes a sense of being moved or touched by someone's spirit.

子供(こども)のけなげさに心(こころ)を打(う)たれた。

I was moved by the child's brave spirit.

病気(びょうき)と闘(たたか)うそのけなげさに涙(なみだ)が出(で)た。

Tears came to my eyes at the brave way they fought their illness.

小(ちい)さな体(からだ)で一生懸命(いっしょうけんめい)働(はたら)くそのけなげさが、周(まわ)りの人(ひと)たちの心(こころ)を動(うご)かした。

The touching bravery of working so hard with such a small body moved the people around them.

The noun form of the adjective けなげ (admirable, brave, plucky). This word describes bravery and determination that is especially moving because it comes from someone small, young, weak, or in a difficult position — it evokes sympathy and admiration simultaneously.

Usage

Most often used about children, animals, or people in vulnerable situations who show remarkable spirit. It carries strong emotional weight and is often used in literary or sentimental contexts.

Common collocations

けなげさに心(こころ)を打(う)たれる: to be moved by someone's plucky spirit
けなげさに涙(なみだ)する: to be brought to tears by someone's bravery
けなげな姿(すがた): a brave and admirable figure

Similar words

勇気(ゆうき): courage — general term for bravery, without the emotional nuance of sympathy
健気(けなげ): admirable, plucky — the adjective form
根性(こんじょう): guts, perseverance — rougher, emphasizes toughness rather than touching bravery

Related Words

Compare: 勇気(ゆうき) (courage)

Compare: 健気(けなげ) (admirable, plucky)

Compare: 根性(こんじょう) (guts, perseverance)

general

Added 2026.3.30 3:16 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

20500/20582_kenagesa