Inklingo

How to Say "valiant" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “valiant” is “valiente” — use 'valiente' for general descriptions of bravery, especially in informal contexts or when referring to someone who is simply not afraid, often found in narrative or literary settings.

English → Spanish

valiente

vah-lyen-tehbaˈljen̪te

adjectiveA2general
Use 'valiente' for general descriptions of bravery, especially in informal contexts or when referring to someone who is simply not afraid, often found in narrative or literary settings.
A person is shown carefully climbing a small wooden ladder to rescue an orange kitten stuck in a tree, depicting a brave person.

Examples

Mi hermana es muy valiente y no le tiene miedo a nada.

My sister is very brave and isn't afraid of anything.

Necesitas ser valiente para hablar en público por primera vez.

You need to be courageous to speak in public for the first time.

Los bomberos hicieron un trabajo increíblemente valiente durante el incendio.

The firefighters did an incredibly brave job during the fire.

Adjectives Ending in -e

Valiente ends in 'e,' which means it looks the same whether you are describing a man (el hombre valiente) or a woman (la mujer valiente). Only the plural changes: valientes.

Gender Agreement Error

Mistake: “Using *valienta* or *valiento*.”

Correction: The correct form is always *valiente* (singular) or *valientes* (plural), regardless of the gender of the person you are describing. 'Ella es valiente.'

heroico

eh-roy-koeˈɾoiko

adjectiveB1general
Choose 'heroico' when describing actions or individuals that display extraordinary courage, often in the face of great danger or for a noble cause, implying a significant, praiseworthy deed.
A brave knight in shining armor standing firmly in front of a small village to protect it.

Examples

El rescate de los niños fue un acto heroico.

The rescue of the children was a heroic act.

Hicieron un esfuerzo heroico para terminar el proyecto a tiempo.

They made a heroic effort to finish the project on time.

La literatura clásica está llena de versos heroicos.

Classical literature is full of heroic verses.

Matching Gender and Number

Since this word describes something, it must match the gender of the thing it describes. Change the 'o' to 'a' for feminine things: 'un acto heroico' but 'una acción heroica'.

Placement After the Noun

In most cases, place 'heroico' after the object or person you are describing to sound natural in everyday Spanish.

Person vs. Description

Mistake: “Él es un heroico.”

Correction: Él es un héroe.

bravo

BRAH-vohˈbɾaβo

adjectiveC1general
Employ 'bravo' to describe someone who is boldly courageous and fearless, particularly in a challenging or combative situation, emphasizing a spirited and daring quality.
A small, determined knight holding a shield and standing confidently in front of a slightly larger, non-threatening dragon.

Examples

El soldado bravo se lanzó a la batalla sin miedo.

The brave soldier threw himself into the battle without fear.

Fue un acto muy bravo arriesgar su vida por salvar al niño.

It was a very brave act to risk his life to save the child.

Formal Choice

While accurate, using 'bravo' to mean 'brave' is often reserved for literature, historical contexts, or formal speeches. Use 'valiente' in daily conversation.

Valiente vs. Heroico vs. Bravo

Learners often confuse 'valiente' and 'heroico'. Remember that 'valiente' is for general bravery (like not being scared), while 'heroico' implies a more significant, praiseworthy act of courage. 'Bravo' is less common and often implies a more spirited, almost defiant bravery.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.