1.
chivalry; heroic spirit; gallantry; sense of justice and honor
The spirit of standing up for the weak and fighting against injustice, often at personal risk. A virtue associated with warriors, outlaws, and heroic figures in Japanese and Chinese cultural traditions.
彼は義侠心の強い人だ。
He is a person with a strong sense of chivalry.
義侠に富んだ行動で多くの人を助けた。
Through gallant actions, he helped many people.
時代劇には義侠の精神で弱い者を守る主人公がよく登場する。
In period dramas, protagonists who protect the weak with a chivalrous spirit often appear.
Composed of 義 (righteousness, justice) and 侠 (chivalry, gallantry). Rooted in the Chinese concept of 侠客 (chivalrous heroes) who helped the powerless. In Japan, the concept is strongly associated with historical figures and the 任侠 (chivalrous outlaw) tradition.
USAGE:
Most commonly encountered in the compound 義侠心 (chivalrous spirit), which describes the personality trait of feeling compelled to help others in trouble. Also appears in literary and historical contexts, period dramas (時代劇), and descriptions of heroic characters.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 義侠心: chivalrous spirit, sense of gallantry
- 義侠に富む: to be rich in chivalry
- 義侠の精神: spirit of chivalry
- 義侠の士: a chivalrous person
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 任侠: chivalrous outlaw spirit — specifically associated with yakuza and outlaw culture, whereas 義侠 is broader and more positive
- 義理: duty, obligation — a related but distinct concept focusing on social obligations rather than heroic justice
- 男気: manliness, gallantry — a more colloquial, gendered expression of courageous generosity
- 侠気: chivalrous spirit — nearly synonymous; a literary variant