dǎnliàng: 胆量 - Guts, Nerve, Courage, Boldness

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• Summary: Discover the meaning of 胆量 (dǎnliàng), the essential Chinese word for “guts,” “nerve,” or “boldness.” More than just bravery, 胆量 is rooted in the traditional Chinese belief that the gallbladder (胆) is the source of courage. This page breaks down its cultural significance, how to use it in everyday conversation, and how it differs from the more heroic concept of 勇气 (yǒngqì), giving you a deep and practical understanding of this fundamental term.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dǎnliàng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: The amount of courage, nerve, or guts a person has to face something difficult, risky, or frightening.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 胆量 (dǎnliàng) as your personal “courage capacity.” In Chinese, 胆 (dǎn) is the gallbladder, which traditional Chinese medicine considers the seat of courage. 量 (liàng) means “quantity” or “amount.” So, 胆量 literally translates to the “amount of gall” you possess. It's less about heroic, moral bravery and more about your innate level of boldness or nerve for everyday challenges, from public speaking to trying scary foods.

• 胆 (dǎn): This character refers to the gallbladder. The left part, 月 (a form of 肉 ròu), is the “flesh” or “body part” radical. The right part, 旦 (dàn), meaning “dawn,” provides the sound. In Chinese culture, the gallbladder isn't just an organ; it's the source of decisiveness and courage.
• 量 (liàng): This character means “quantity,” “capacity,” or “to measure.” It depicts a tool for measuring grain.
• Together, 胆量 (dǎnliàng) creates a vivid and concrete image: the measurable “quantity of courage” a person holds within them. A person with big 胆量 (dǎnliàng dà) has a lot of guts, while someone with small 胆量 (dǎnliàng xiǎo) is timid.

In Chinese culture, courage is physically located in the body, specifically the gallbladder (胆). This idea from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) permeates the language. Many words related to courage use the character 胆, such as 大胆 (dàdǎn) - bold, and 胆小 (dǎnxiǎo) - timid. This contrasts with Western concepts of “courage,” which are often abstract and tied to morality or heroism (e.g., “the courage of one's convictions”). 胆量 (dǎnliàng) is more neutral and personal. It's an innate quality, a measure of one's capacity for risk and audacity. For example, in English, we might say a criminal is “bold” or “audacious,” but we wouldn't typically call them “courageous,” as that implies a virtuous quality. In Chinese, you can absolutely say a criminal has a lot of 胆量 (`这个小偷胆量真大` - This thief really has some nerve!). This highlights that 胆量 is about the *capacity* to act despite fear or risk, not the moral reason for the action. It's much closer to the English idioms “to have guts” or “to have nerve.”

胆量 is a common, everyday word used in various situations.

• To Praise Someone: You can use it to compliment someone's boldness, whether they're giving a speech, starting a business, or standing up to a difficult person.
  • `你敢在那么多人面前唱歌，胆量真大！` (You dare to sing in front of so many people, you've really got guts!)
• To Describe a Lack of Courage: It's frequently used for self-deprecation or to describe someone who is timid.
  • `我胆量小，不敢看恐怖电影。` (I'm timid, I don't dare to watch horror movies.)
• To Taunt or Challenge: It can be used playfully or seriously to challenge someone's nerve.
  • `你敢不敢跳下去？我看你没这个胆量。` (Do you dare to jump? I bet you don't have the guts.)
• To Describe a Requirement: It can be used to state that a certain task requires a lot of nerve.
  • `当一名消防员需要非凡的胆量。` (Being a firefighter requires extraordinary courage.)

Its connotation is generally neutral to positive, but it can be used sarcastically to mean “audacity” in a negative way.

• Example 1:
  • 他居然有胆量跟老板提加薪，我真佩服他。
  • Pinyin: Tā jūrán yǒu dǎnliàng gēn lǎobǎn tí jiāxīn, wǒ zhēn pèifú tā.
  • English: He actually had the nerve to ask the boss for a raise, I really admire him.
  • Analysis: This shows 胆量 used to describe a common but daunting workplace scenario. It expresses admiration for someone's boldness.
• Example 2:
  • 我的胆量很小，连过山车都不敢坐。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de dǎnliàng hěn xiǎo, lián guòshānchē dōu bù gǎn zuò.
  • English: I have very little courage; I don't even dare to ride a roller coaster.
  • Analysis: A classic example of self-deprecation. `胆量小 (dǎnliàng xiǎo)` is a very common phrase for “timid” or “cowardly.”
• Example 3:
  • 做这个决定需要很大的胆量和智慧。
  • Pinyin: Zuò zhège juédìng xūyào hěn dà de dǎnliàng hé zhìhuì.
  • English: Making this decision requires great courage and wisdom.
  • Analysis: Here, 胆量 is paired with wisdom (智慧), showing it as a necessary quality for leadership and important choices.
• Example 4:
  • 你要是没那个胆量，就别逞能。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yàoshi méi nàge dǎnliàng, jiù bié chěngnéng.
  • English: If you don't have the guts for it, then don't try to be a hero.
  • Analysis: This is a form of warning or taunt, telling someone not to attempt something beyond their capacity for bravery.
• Example 5:
  • 独自一人去世界旅行，她的胆量令人钦佩。
  • Pinyin: Dúzì yīrén qù shìjiè lǚxíng, tā de dǎnliàng lìng rén qīnpèi.
  • English: To travel the world all by herself, her boldness is admirable.
  • Analysis: This highlights 胆量 in the context of independence and adventure.
• Example 6:
  • 他胆量不小，敢在老虎面前拍照。
  • Pinyin: Tā dǎnliàng bù xiǎo, gǎn zài lǎohǔ miànqián pāizhào.
  • English: He's got some serious nerve, daring to take a picture in front of a tiger.
  • Analysis: The phrase `胆量不小 (dǎnliàng bù xiǎo)`, literally “courage is not small,” is a common way to say someone has a lot of guts.
• Example 7:
  • 这孩子从小就胆量过人，什么都敢尝试。
  • Pinyin: Zhè háizi cóngxiǎo jiù dǎnliàng guòrén, shénme dōu gǎn chángshì.
  • English: This child has had extraordinary nerve since he was little, daring to try anything.
  • Analysis: `胆量过人 (dǎnliàng guòrén)` means “courage that surpasses others,” a set phrase used to praise someone as exceptionally bold.
• Example 8:
  • 别看他平时很安静，关键时刻胆量比谁都大。
  • Pinyin: Bié kàn tā píngshí hěn ānjìng, guānjiàn shíkè dǎnliàng bǐ shéi dōu dà.
  • English: Don't just see that he's usually quiet; at the critical moment, he has more guts than anyone.
  • Analysis: This illustrates that 胆量 is an internal quality that may not always be visible on the surface.
• Example 9:
  • 你有胆量把真相说出来吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yǒu dǎnliàng bǎ zhēnxiàng shuō chūlái ma?
  • English: Do you have the guts to tell the truth?
  • Analysis: This shows 胆量 connected to moral action—the nerve to do the right thing even when it's difficult.
• Example 10:
  • 他的胆量都用在歪门邪道上了。
  • Pinyin: Tā de dǎnliàng dōu yòng zài wāiménxiédào shàng le.
  • English: He used all his nerve on crooked paths (dishonest deeds).
  • Analysis: This clearly demonstrates the neutral nature of 胆量. It's a capacity that can be used for good or ill, unlike the more inherently virtuous `勇气 (yǒngqì)`.

• 胆量 (dǎnliàng) vs. 勇气 (yǒngqì): This is the most critical distinction for learners.
  • 胆量 (dǎnliàng): Refers to the innate capacity for nerve or boldness. It's neutral. A hero, a businessman, and a thief can all possess 胆量. It's about *whether* you dare to do something.
  • 勇气 (yǒngqì): Refers to moral courage, bravery, or valor, often in the face of injustice or adversity. It has a strong positive and righteous connotation. A soldier defending their country has 勇气.
  • Mistake: Using `勇气` for a risky but morally neutral or negative act.
    • Incorrect: `那个小偷真有勇气，敢偷警察的东西。` (The thief is so brave, he dared to steal from the police.)
    • Correct: `那个小偷胆量真大，敢偷警察的东西。` (The thief has some real nerve, he dared to steal from the police.)
• It's a Noun, Not a Verb: 胆量 is something you *have* (`有胆量`) or *don't have* (`没胆量`). You cannot use it as a verb.
  • Incorrect: `我不敢胆量这么做。`
  • Correct: `我没有胆量这么做。` (I don't have the guts to do it like this.)

• 勇气 (yǒngqì) - Moral courage or bravery. While related, 胆量 is about the capacity for nerve, while 勇气 is about righteous valor.
• 胆小 (dǎnxiǎo) - Adjective meaning timid, cowardly. The direct antonym of being bold (literally “gall-small”).
• 大胆 (dàdǎn) - Adjective meaning bold, daring, audacious (literally “big-gall”). Describes someone who has a lot of 胆量.
• 胆子 (dǎnzi) - A more colloquial noun for “guts” or “nerve.” Functionally very similar to 胆量, but slightly less formal. `他胆子很大` is equivalent to `他胆量很大`.
• 魄力 (pòlì) - Daring and decisiveness, especially in a leader. It implies not just the nerve of 胆量, but also the vision and resolution to make bold decisions and see them through.
• 害怕 (hàipà) - Verb meaning “to be afraid.” A person with small 胆量 is often 害怕.
• 冒险 (màoxiǎn) - Verb meaning “to take a risk” or “to have an adventure.” An action that often requires 胆量.
• 没胆儿 (méi dǎnr) - A very colloquial, Northern-dialect way of saying “no guts.”