Vocabulary
용기를 내다
muster courage, dare to act
Meaning
용기를 내다: “muster up courage,” “find the courage to do something.”
Why this form?
용감하다 — “be brave / courageous”: describes a quality or courageous behavior; 용기를 내다 presents the one-time effort needed to overcome fear.
결심하다 — “decide / resolve”: focuses on the decision itself; 용기를 내다 focuses on the emotional courage needed to act.
Natural usage
A common pattern is 용기를 내서 + action: 용기를 내서 말하다, “muster the courage and speak.”
Forms not to confuse
용감하다
그 사람은 정말 용감해요. — That person is really brave.
결심하다
드디어 사실을 말하기로 결심했어요. — I finally decided to tell the truth.
Examples
나는 용기를 내어 방 안으로 들어간다! — I muster up my courage and enter the room!
용기를 내서 먼저 말을 걸었어요. — I gathered my courage and spoke to them first.