Cool MateBrave vs You got balls
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Brave
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
You got balls
SlangBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: BraveMost common: Brave
| Brave | You got balls | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/breɪv/"]/🇺🇸 /["/breɪv/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊ ɡɒt bɔːlz//🇺🇸 //ju ɡɑːt bɔlz// |
| Meaning | Not afraid; ready to face danger or difficulty. | You are brave or daring. |
| Example | The brave soldier saved his comrades during the battle. | You got balls for taking on that challenge! |
| Register | Neutral | Slang |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, feel, seem, extremely, fairly, very, be, feel, seem, extremely, fairly, very | got balls, show balls, have balls |
| Antonyms | cowardly, afraid, timid | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'brave' as a noun instead of an adjective., Confusing 'brave' with 'brawn', which relates to strength., Using 'brave' to describe inanimate objects. | Used in formal settings where it may seem inappropriate., Confused with 'you got guts', which has a similar meaning. |
| Usage notes | Use 'brave' to describe people or actions that show courage. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, but avoid using it in a sarcastic tone. | This phrase is informal and often used in casual conversations to compliment someone's courage. It's mostly used among friends and may not be appropriate in formal situations. |
Frequently asked questions: Brave vs You got balls
What's the difference between Brave and You got balls?
Brave: Not afraid; ready to face danger or difficulty. You got balls: You are brave or daring.
Which is more formal: Brave and You got balls?
Brave is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Brave and You got balls?
Brave is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Brave: The brave soldier saved his comrades during the battle. You got balls: You got balls for taking on that challenge!
Can I use Brave and You got balls interchangeably?
Not always. Brave and You got balls are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.