to dare

JLPT N5 11 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage and Nuances

The word "" (gǎn) primarily means "to dare" or "to have the courage to do something." It often appears in contexts where someone shows bravery or boldness, sometimes with a hint of challenge or risk.

Common Patterns

  • " + verb": to dare to do something, emphasizing courage or willingness.
  • " + verb": to not dare, indicating fear or hesitation.
  • " + verb": a rhetorical challenge meaning "who dares to..."

Pragmatic Effects

Using "" can express confidence, challenge, or sometimes warning. For example, "挑战" is a strong challenge implying confidence in one's own strength.

Collocations

  • 面对 (dare to face): used to describe bravery in confronting difficulties.
  • 保证 (dare to guarantee): used to express strong confidence.
  • 告诉 (not dare to tell): shows fear or reluctance.

Common Confusions

"" differs from similar words like "勇敢" (yǒnggǎn), which means "brave" as an adjective describing character. "" is more about the act of daring or having the courage to do something, often used as a verb or auxiliary.

Register and Tone

"" is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It often appears in spoken language, especially in challenges or expressions of courage.

Example Sentences

Do you dare to go to that place alone?

He doesn't dare to tell his parents the truth.

Whoever dares to challenge me should prepare to fail!

I dare to guarantee that you will definitely pass this exam.

He dares to face difficulties and never backs down.