Translation guide
The English idiom "get cold feet" means to suddenly become too nervous or afraid to do something you had planned to do, especially right before the event. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent, but several expressions capture the feeling of sudden anxiety, hesitation, or loss of nerve.
Expressing that someone became too nervous to go through with a planned action, like a speech, performance, or wedding.
This verb means to lose one's nerve or become scared, often at the last moment. It's a close match for 'get cold feet' in many situations.
Expressing that someone is reconsidering a commitment, often due to anxiety about the outcome.
Literally 'doubt emerges,' this is a natural way to say someone is starting to have second thoughts.
The literal translation '冷たい足' (tsumetai ashi) means physically cold feet and does not convey the idiomatic meaning. Avoid using it to express nervousness.
Japanese often omits the subject, so phrases like '急に怖くなった' can mean 'I got cold feet' or 'He got cold feet' depending on context. Use pronouns only when necessary.
I was going to ask her out, but I got cold feet.
I got cold feet right before the speech.
A straightforward way to say 'suddenly become scared.' It's natural and easy to understand, though less idiomatic.
I suddenly got scared before the performance.
Literally 'legs freeze up,' this describes the physical sensation of being too scared to move forward. It conveys the paralysis of cold feet.
Before going on stage, my legs froze and I couldn't move.
Means to hesitate or shrink back from doing something due to fear or reluctance. It implies a loss of initial enthusiasm.
He started getting cold feet the day before the wedding.
To feel intimidated or lose confidence, often in social situations. It's a bit more about feeling overwhelmed by the situation.
I got cold feet about speaking in front of a large crowd.
I got cold feet just before signing the contract.
An idiom meaning to hesitate or think twice before doing something. It's often used when someone is reluctant to proceed.
He's getting cold feet about changing jobs.
A general verb for 'hesitate.' It can be used in many contexts where cold feet would apply.
I was going to propose, but I got cold feet.
彼は結婚式の前に怖気づいた。
He got cold feet before the wedding.