Translation guide
Expresses feeling intimidated, discouraged, or overwhelmed by a difficult situation or task. Japanese often uses verbs for losing courage, shrinking back, or being overwhelmed rather than a single direct equivalent.
To describe being psychologically overwhelmed or losing one's nerve when facing something difficult.
To flinch, shrink back, or be daunted by something intimidating. Often used when one hesitates due to fear or pressure.
To express losing motivation or feeling disheartened when something seems too hard.
ひるむ is about momentary hesitation or flinching in the face of something intimidating, while くじける is about lasting discouragement after a setback. Use ひるむ for immediate reactions and くじける for emotional deflation.
There is no single Japanese verb that directly equals 'be daunted'. Avoid literal translations like だうんとされる. Instead, choose a verb that matches the nuance: intimidation, discouragement, or overwhelm.
He wasn't daunted by the difficulties.
相手の強さにひるんでしまった。
I was daunted by my opponent's strength.
To feel nervous or lose confidence in front of others or a challenging situation. Implies being daunted by social pressure or the scale of a task.
大勢の前で話すことに気後れした。
I was daunted by speaking in front of a large crowd.
To recoil or be taken aback, often momentarily. Used when something unexpected or intimidating makes you step back mentally.
彼の剣幕にたじろいだ。
I was daunted by his fierce attitude.
To be overwhelmed or overpowered by something immense. Often used when the scale or intensity of a task is daunting.
仕事の量に圧倒された。
I was daunted by the amount of work.
To get scared or lose one's nerve. More about fear making you hesitant. Slightly colloquial.
高い所で怖気づいて動けなかった。
I was daunted by the height and couldn't move.
To be discouraged, lose heart, or be daunted by setbacks. Often used for emotional discouragement.
一度の失敗でくじけてはいけない。
Don't be daunted by a single failure.
To be daunted or disheartened, often in a casual, everyday sense. Common in negative form: めげない (resilient).
彼は少しくらいの批判ではめげない。
He isn't daunted by a little criticism.
Literally 'heart breaks', meaning to be mentally defeated or daunted to the point of giving up. Somewhat dramatic.
あまりの難しさに心が折れそうだ。
I'm almost daunted by how difficult it is.