Translation guide
Describes a person, action, or behavior that shows a lack of courage. In Japanese, this is expressed through adjectives, nouns, and descriptive phrases that convey fearfulness, spinelessness, or a failure to act bravely.
彼は臆病だ。
He is cowardly.
それは卑怯な行為だった。
That was a cowardly act.
To say someone is a coward or has a cowardly nature.
The most common and neutral adjective/noun for 'cowardly' or 'timid'. Can describe a person's character or an action.
彼は臆病な人だ。
He is a cowardly person.
臆病な行動はやめなさい。
Stop acting cowardly.
Literally 'weak insect', a common noun meaning 'coward' or 'weakling'. Often used in casual or slightly childish contexts.
弱虫！泣くんじゃない。
Coward! Don't cry.
A derogatory noun meaning 'coward' or 'chicken', implying spinelessness. Stronger than 弱虫.
そんな腰抜けは嫌いだ。
I hate such a coward.
Literally 'small-hearted person', meaning a timid or cowardly person. Somewhat literary or old-fashioned.
彼は小心者で、決断できない。
He is a coward and cannot make decisions.
To characterize a specific act as lacking courage.
Adjective/noun meaning 'cowardly' or 'unfair'. Often used for actions that are sneaky or dishonorable, not just fearful.
Also used for actions, but more about fearfulness than unfairness.
Idiom meaning 'to become cowardly' or 'to get cold feet', literally 'to have a fleeing posture'.
彼は試合前に逃げ腰になった。
He got cowardly before the match.
To insult or accuse someone of being cowardly.
Noun meaning 'coward'. Direct but not as harsh as some alternatives.
臆病者め！
You coward!
Stronger insult, implying spinelessness.
Loanword from English 'chicken', used in casual or humorous contexts.
チキン野郎！
You chicken!
臆病 (okubyou) focuses on fearfulness and timidity, while 卑怯 (hikyou) implies unfairness or sneakiness in addition to cowardice. Use 臆病 for someone who is afraid, and 卑怯 for actions that are underhanded.
Direct translations like 'カワードリー' do not exist. Use the adjectives or nouns above depending on context. Also, calling someone a coward in Japanese can be very strong, so be mindful of the relationship.
臆病な逃げ方をする。
He runs away in a cowardly manner.
この腰抜けが！
You spineless coward!