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.
He is a coward and is afraid of the dark.
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.
Stop that cowardly act.
His way of doing things is cowardly.
Timidity, faint-heartedness. More about being easily frightened or lacking boldness, rather than moral cowardice.
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.
He ran away from his responsibility.
To shrink back, hesitate out of fear. Describes the moment of showing cowardice before an action.
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.
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.
Running away from difficulties is cowardly.
He shrank back from climbing to a high place.
あんな腰抜けに何ができる。
What can such a coward do?
He's a coward, so he's not suited for battle.