Meaning of 健気(けなげ) in Japanese

Reading and JLPT level 健気

Kana Reading けなげ

Romaji kenage

Parts of speech

adjectival nouns or quasi-adjectives (keiyodoshi), noun (common) (futsuumeishi)

Meaning

brave; gallant; courage; manly; heroic; praiseworthy; industrious; pure; lovable

Examples of 健気, けなげ in a sentence

兄が急逝したのは２年前、義姉は一人兄の遺した小さな宝飾店を健気に守ってきた。

Since my brother died suddenly two years ago, my sister-in-law has valiantly kept going the small jewellery store he left her.
彼が直向きに生きるその姿は実に健気です。

The single-minded way he gets on with his life is truly admirable.

Related Kanji

健 JLPT 2

11 strokes

healthy, health, strength, persistence

On'Yomi: ケン

Kun'Yomi: すこ.やか

Learn more

気 JLPT 5

6 strokes

spirit, mind, air, atmosphere, mood

On'Yomi: キ, ケ

Kun'Yomi: いき

Learn more

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