'Wú wèi' literally means 'without fear' — 无 (wú) means 'not' or 'without', and 畏 (wèi) means 'to fear' or 'dread'. Together, they form a compound adjective describing a courageous, unshaken state of mind in the face of danger, difficulty, or uncertainty. It conveys moral or spiritual courage rather than mere physical boldness.

This word is often used in formal, literary, or inspirational contexts — such as speeches, essays, Buddhist texts (where it denotes freedom from fear of suffering or death), or descriptions of heroic figures. While it can describe people, it’s also applied to actions, attitudes, or even abstract qualities (e.g., 'a fearless resolve'). It carries a dignified, somewhat elevated tone and is less common in casual daily speech than simpler terms like 勇敢 (yǒnggǎn).