Translation guide
To decide not to do something because you are too afraid or nervous.
To become too scared to do something you planned or agreed to do, and then cancel or avoid it.
A common, natural way to say you lost your nerve and backed out. Often used for sudden fear before a challenge.
I chickened out right before the speech.
Very casual and common, especially in spoken Japanese. 'ビビる' means to get scared or nervous.
A straightforward, neutral way to say you stopped because you got scared. Less idiomatic than '怖気づく' but very clear.
Literally 'your hips pull back', meaning you hesitate or lose your nerve. Often used when someone shows reluctance.
To shrink back or hesitate from fear. Slightly more formal or literary.
He chickened out in the face of difficulty.
There is no direct equivalent using 'chicken' in Japanese. Avoid literal translations like '鶏る' or 'チキンする'. Use the phrases above instead.
In very casual conversation with friends, 'ビビってやめる' is natural. In more neutral situations, '怖くなってやめる' or '怖気づく' are safer choices.
I was going to ask her out, but I chickened out.
Casual, natural spoken style with ちゃった
I said I'd ride the roller coaster, but I chickened out.
I climbed up high, but then I chickened out.
He chickened out before the performance.
Don't chicken out now!
Very casual, masculine tone