臆 病(おくびょう)

おくびょう

na-adjective, noun

cowardly; timid; faint-hearted

personality emotion

1. cowardly; timid

Lacking courage, easily frightened, or hesitant to take risks.

臆病(おくびょう)な性格(せいかく)を直(なお)したい。

I want to fix my timid personality.

この犬(いぬ)は臆病(おくびょう)で、大(おお)きな音(おと)を怖(こわ)がる。

This dog is timid and is afraid of loud sounds.

臆病(おくびょう)風(かぜ)に吹(ふ)かれて、挑戦(ちょうせん)をやめてしまった。

I got cold feet and gave up on the challenge.

Etymology

臆(おく) (hesitate) + 病(びょう) (illness, condition) - literally "condition of hesitation"

Common expressions

臆病(おくびょう)者(もの) - coward
臆病(おくびょう)風(かぜ)に吹(ふ)かれる - to get cold feet (lit. blown by the wind of cowardice)
臆病(おくびょう)な心(こころ) - timid heart

Usage

Generally used negatively, though sometimes sympathetically.

Similar words

大胆(だいたん) - bold, daring
勇敢(ゆうかん) - brave, courageous

Related words

弱虫(よわむし) - weakling, coward (informal)
怖(こわ)がり - scaredy-cat

Related Words

Antonym: 大胆(だいたん) (bold)

Synonym: 意気地(いくじ)なし (coward; spineless)

Compare: 勇敢(ゆうかん) (brave, courageous)

Related: 弱虫(よわむし) (weakling, coward)

Related: 怖(こわ)がり (scaredy-cat)

Compare: 小心(しょうしん) (timid)

Compare: 気(き)が弱(よわ)い (timid)

general

Added 2026.1.20 21:57 · Revised 2026.9.26 15:21

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