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.
意気地なしと言われた。
I was called a coward.
告白できないなんて、自分は本当に意気地なしだ。
I can't even confess my feelings — I'm such a coward.
意気地なしと思われたくなくて、無理をして挑戦した。
I pushed myself to try because I didn't want to be seen as a coward.
USAGE:
意気地なし can function as a noun (意気地なしだ — is a coward) or as a na-adjective (意気地なしな人 — a spineless person). The reading いくじ is irregular — the word 意気地 exists as a separate term meaning "spirit" or "willpower."
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 意気地なしと言われる (be called a coward)
- 意気地なしと思われる (be seen as spineless)
SIMILAR WORDS:
臆病 means "timid" or "cowardly" and is a more formal na-adjective. 弱虫 means "crybaby" or "weakling" and is more commonly used by or about children. 意気地なし is used for adults and implies a failure of willpower.