Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| сме́лый | smélyj |
| хра́брый | xrábryj |
| отва́жный | otvážnyj |
| бесстра́шный | besstrášnyj |
| бра́вый | brávyj |
These words are used to describe someone who is strong in the face of fear.
What does it mean word for word?
The word бесстра́шный (fearless) is formed from the prefix бес- (without), the root страх (fear) and the adjective-forming suffix -ный.
Which one should you use?
сме́лый is the most versatile word and can describe both physical courage and social boldness, such as being outspoken. хра́брый is a universal term for brave. отва́жный carries a stronger connotation of bravery and is commonly used when referring to military personnel. In contrast to сме́лый and хра́брый, which imply a person feels fear but overcomes it, бесстра́шный literally means "without fear" and implies a total lack of fear.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
сме́лый is highly versatile and suitable for various informal situations. хра́брый is also a universal term suitable for both formal and informal situations. отва́жный has a more elevated, literary or heroic tone. бра́вый is an archaic or highly stylized term that sounds old-fashioned, often used in historical literature to describe a "gallant" soldier.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe a female subject, the masculine adjective сме́лый changes its ending to сме́лая. The masculine adjective сме́лый also changes to сме́лого in the genitive case, which is used, for example, after the word нет (there is no/none of).
How do you pronounce it?
smélyj
Did you know?
- The word сме́лый comes from the same root as сме́х, meaning 'laughter'. This suggests an ancient link between the ability to laugh and the confidence or boldness of a brave person.
- The word бра́вый is a linguistic loan from the French word 'brave'. It entered Russian to describe the polished, gallant appearance of soldiers rather than just their internal courage.
- The word отва́жный shares a root with взять (to take), implying a sense of 'seizing' a situation or taking a risk by force.
Examples in context
- Капитан был храбрым и великодушным лидером.The captain was a brave and generous leader.
- Этот отважный парень всегда защищает слабых.This brave guy always defends the weak.
- Он очень сме́лый па́рень.On ochen' smelyy paren'.He is a very brave guy.
- Это был сме́лый посту́пок.Eto byl smelyy postupok.That was a brave act.
Example conversation
Dmitry and Maria are discussing a dangerous rescue mission.
- Дмитрий DmitryТы видел того спасателя?Ty videl togo spasatelya?Did you see that rescuer?
- Мария MariaДа, он очень сме́лый.Da, on ochen smelyy.Yes, he is very brave.
- Дмитрий DmitryЯ бы так не смог.Ya by tak ne smog.I couldn't have done that.
- Мария MariaДмитрий, ты тоже сме́лый!Dmitriy, ty tozhe smelyy!Dmitry, you are brave too!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brave” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
