敢

• Pinyin: gǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 敢 = left component resembles a person facing threat + 攵 (action), meaning to dare

Meaning

To dare; to have the courage to. Being bold enough to do something.

Can express courage, boldness, or be used in questions/negations to challenge or express surprise. Common phrases include 不敢 (dare not), 敢不敢 (do you dare?), and 勇敢 (brave). Often used rhetorically.

Examples

1. 你敢不敢一个人走夜路？ Do you dare to walk alone at night?
2. 他不敢跟老板提出自己的意见。 He doesn't dare to raise his opinions with the boss.
3. 我小时候不敢一个人睡觉。 When I was little, I didn't dare to sleep alone.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, conversation, challenge

Tone: bold

Do Say

• 你敢试试吗？(Do you dare to try?)
• 她很勇敢，什么都敢做。(She is very brave and dares to do anything.)

Don't Say

• 我敢喜欢他 (Don't use 敢 for having feelings — 敢 implies overcoming fear to take action, not emotions themselves; say 我敢跟他表白 for confessing feelings)

Origin & History

Originally depicted a person confronting a wild boar or bear, representing the courage to face danger.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal