Translation guide
The quality of being afraid to do something dangerous, difficult, or painful; lack of bravery. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and set phrases that describe a person's character or actions.
Describing a person's nature as cowardly, lacking courage.
The most common and neutral word for cowardice or timidity. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective.
彼は臆病で、暗いところが怖い。
He is a coward and is afraid of the dark.
臆病な性格を直したい。
I want to fix my cowardly personality.
Cowardice with a nuance of unfairness or sneakiness. Often used to criticize someone who takes advantage of others or avoids fair confrontation.
そんな卑怯な真似はやめろ。
Stop that cowardly act.
彼のやり方は卑怯だ。
His way of doing things is cowardly.
Timidity, faint-heartedness. More about being easily frightened or lacking boldness, rather than moral cowardice.
彼は小心者だから、リーダーには向かない。
He's a timid person, so he's not suited to be a leader.
Describing an action or behavior that shows cowardice, such as fleeing or avoiding a challenge.
To run away, escape. Often implies cowardice when used in contexts where one should face something.
彼は責任から逃げた。
He ran away from his responsibility.
困難から逃げるのは臆病だ。
Running away from difficulties is cowardly.
To shrink back, hesitate out of fear. Describes the moment of showing cowardice before an action.
彼は高いところに登るのを尻込みした。
He shrank back from climbing to a high place.
Literally 'lacking a backbone', a strong insult for a coward. Often used in dramatic or insulting contexts.
Expressing that someone's cowardice is morally wrong, especially when they fail to stand up for what is right.
A cowardly person, especially one who acts unfairly or betrays others. Strongly negative.
彼は仲間を裏切った卑怯者だ。
He is a coward who betrayed his friends.
臆病 (okubyō) refers to a fearful, timid nature. 卑怯 (hikyō) implies unfairness or sneakiness in addition to cowardice. Calling someone 卑怯 is a stronger moral condemnation.
English phrases like 'cowardice act' do not directly translate. Use adjectives like 臆病な or 卑怯な to modify nouns, or use verbs like 逃げる to describe the action.
あんな腰抜けに何ができる。
What can such a coward do?
A coward, a timid person. Less harsh than 卑怯者, more about fearfulness than moral failing.
彼は臆病者だから、戦いには向かない。
He's a coward, so he's not suited for battle.