意気地(いくじ)なし

いくじなし
noun, na-adjective
coward; spineless person
personemotion
1. coward; spineless person; weakling
A person who lacks courage, determination, or backbone. Composed of 意気地 (spirit/guts) + なし (without). Used as both a noun (coward) and a na-adjective (cowardly). A common insult or self-deprecating expression.
意気地(いくじ)なしと言(い)われた。
I was called a coward.
告白(こくはく)できないなんて、自分(じぶん)は本当(ほんとう)に意気地(いくじ)なしだ。
I can't even confess my feelings — I'm such a coward.
意気地(いくじ)なしと思(おも)われたくなくて、無理(むり)をして挑戦(ちょうせん)した。
I pushed myself to try because I didn't want to be seen as a coward.

Usage

意気地(いくじ)なし can function as a noun (意気地(いくじ)なしだ — is a coward) or as a na-adjective (意気地(いくじ)なしな人(ひと) — a spineless person). The reading いくじ is irregular — the word 意気地(いきじ) exists as a separate term meaning "spirit" or "willpower."

Common collocations

Similar words

臆病(おくびょう) means "timid" or "cowardly" and is a more formal na-adjective. 弱虫(よわむし) means "crybaby" or "weakling" and is more commonly used by or about children. 意気地(いくじ)なし is used for adults and implies a failure of willpower.

Related Words

Synonym: 臆病(おくびょう) (timid; cowardly)
Synonym: 弱虫(よわむし) (weakling; for children)
Compare: 卑怯(ひきょう) (cowardly, unfair)
Related: なきむし (crybaby)
Compare: へたれ (wimp)
general
Added 2026.3.8 18:50 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
15500/15798_ikujinashi