Refers to a person who lacks courage or is afraid to face danger or difficulty. Often used as an insult.
He's a coward, so he can't walk down a dark street alone.
sneaky person; underhanded person; dastardly person
Describes someone who uses unfair, deceitful, or dishonorable methods. Implies a lack of integrity rather than just fear.
Don't do business with such an underhanded person.
Compound of 卑怯 (ひきょう, 'cowardice' or 'unfairness') and 者 (もの, 'person'). The exact historical derivation of 卑怯 is uncertain, but the kanji 卑 ('lowly') and 怯 ('cowardice') are conventionally associated with the meaning.