valor
/baˈloɾ/masculine
The English word courage translates to Spanish as valor. Wiktionary also lists valentía.
Meaning: ability to do frightening things (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| valor | /baˈloɾ/ | masculine |
| valentía | /balenˈtia/ | feminine |
Both valor and valentía refer to the ability to do frightening things.
Which one should you use?
valor is a masculine noun often used to describe a specific act of bravery or a quality of a person. In contrast, valentía is a feminine noun and is often used to describe the general trait or quality of being brave.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the word coraje can also have connotations of anger or resentment.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say someone did something 'bravely' or 'with courage', you use the prepositional phrase con valor.
How do you pronounce it?
/baˈloɾ/
Did you know?
- While valor means courage, it also shares its root with the English word 'value', as both stem from the Latin 'valere', meaning to be strong or to be worth.
- The word valiente, from which valentía is derived, is used to describe someone who is brave, but it can also be used colloquially to describe someone who is being 'cheeky' or 'bold' in a disrespectful way.
- If you exclaim ¡Qué valor!, you might be praising a heroic act, but you could also be sarcastically calling someone foolish for taking an unnecessary risk.
Examples in context
- Fue un acto de valor.It was an act of courage.This sentence shows how to describe an act of courage using valor.Tatoeba #2258969 by cueyayotl, translation #2258968 by _undertoad
- Hizo alarde de valor.He boasted of his courage.This sentence demonstrates how to express boasting about one's courage using valor.Tatoeba #2266086 by cueyayotl, translation #2266085 by _undertoad
- Le admiro por su valor.I admire you for your courage.This sentence shows how to express admiration for someone's courage using valor.Tatoeba #1475440 by marcelostockle, translation #16872 by CK
- Tú demostraste gran valentía al enfrentarte a tus miedos.You showed great courage by facing your fears.
- La valentía de los bomberos nos protege a todos.The courage of firefighters protects us all.
- Admiro tu coraje para seguir luchando por tus sueños.I admire your courage to keep fighting for your dreams.
- Nunca pensé que tendría el coraje para hablar en público.I never thought I would have the courage to speak in public.
- ¡Ánimo! Estoy seguro de que superarás cualquier obstáculo.Take courage! I'm sure you'll overcome any obstacle.
- ¡Ánimo! Estoy seguro de que saldrás victorioso en esta competencia.Take courage! I am sure you will emerge victorious in this competition.
- Me impresiona tu gallardía al enfrentar desafíos difíciles.I am impressed by your courage in facing challenging tasks.
- Admiré su gallardía mientras enfrentaba el desafío con determinación.I admired his/her courage as he/she faced the challenge with determination.
- 52 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are talking about a dangerous hiking trail.
- SofíaNo creo que tenga el valor de subir.I don't think I have the courage to go up.
- JavierNo te preocupes, Sofía, yo te ayudaré.Don't worry, Sofía, I will help you.
- SofíaGracias, Javier, pero me falta valor hoy.Thanks, Javier, but I lack courage today.
- JavierSolo respira y da el primer paso.Just breathe and take the first step.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “courage” translations and entries valor, valentía, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries valentía, valor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
