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.
スピーチの直前に怖気づいてしまった。
I chickened out right before the speech.
Very casual and common, especially in spoken Japanese. 'ビビる' means to get scared or nervous.
ジェットコースターに乗るって言ったのに、ビビってやめた。
I said I'd ride the roller coaster, but I chickened out.
A straightforward, neutral way to say you stopped because you got scared. Less idiomatic than '怖気づく' but very clear.
高いところに登ったけど、怖くなってやめた。
I climbed up high, but then I chickened out.
Literally 'your hips pull back', meaning you hesitate or lose your nerve. Often used when someone shows reluctance.
彼は本番前に腰が引けてしまった。
He chickened out before the performance.
To shrink back or hesitate from fear. Slightly more formal or literary.
彼は困難を前に尻込みした。
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.
彼女をデートに誘おうと思ったけど、怖気づいちゃった。
I was going to ask her out, but I chickened out.
Casual, natural spoken style with ちゃった