義侠(ぎきょう)

ぎきょう
noun
chivalry; heroic spirit; gallantry
formalwrittenculturepersonality
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(かれ)は義侠(ぎきょう)心(しん)の強(つよ)い人(ひと)だ。
He is a person with a strong sense of chivalry.
義侠(ぎきょう)に富(と)んだ行動(こうどう)で多(おお)くの人(ひと)を助(たす)けた。
Through gallant actions, he helped many people.
時代劇(じだいげき)には義侠(ぎきょう)の精神(せいしん)で弱(よわ)い者(もの)を守(まも)る主人公(しゅじんこう)がよく登場(とうじょう)する。
In period dramas, protagonists who protect the weak with a chivalrous spirit often appear.

Composed of 義(ぎ) (righteousness, justice) and 侠(きょう) (chivalry, gallantry). Rooted in the Chinese concept of 侠客(きょうかく) (chivalrous heroes) who helped the powerless. In Japan, the concept is strongly associated with historical figures and the 任侠(にんきょう) (chivalrous outlaw) tradition.

Usage

Most commonly encountered in the compound 義侠心(ぎきょうしん) (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(じだいげき)), and descriptions of heroic characters.

Common collocations

  • 義侠(ぎきょう)心(しん): chivalrous spirit, sense of gallantry
  • 義侠(ぎきょう)に富(と)む: to be rich in chivalry
  • 義侠(ぎきょう)の精神(せいしん): spirit of chivalry
  • 義侠(ぎきょう)の士(し): a chivalrous person

Similar words

  • 任侠(にんきょう): chivalrous outlaw spirit — specifically associated with yakuza and outlaw culture, whereas 義侠(ぎきょう) is broader and more positive
  • 義理(ぎり): duty, obligation — a related but distinct concept focusing on social obligations rather than heroic justice
  • 男気(おとこぎ): manliness, gallantry — a more colloquial, gendered expression of courageous generosity
  • 侠気(きょうき): chivalrous spirit — nearly synonymous; a literary variant

Related Words

Compare: 任侠(にんきょう) (chivalrous outlaw spirit)
Compare: 義理(ぎり) (duty, obligation)
Compare: 男気(おとこぎ) (manliness, gallantry)
general
Added 2026.4.20 20:32 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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