1.
coward; timid person; someone who is overly cautious
A person who is easily frightened, overly cautious, or lacks courage. Often used self-deprecatingly or to tease someone gently.
私は小心者だから無理だ。
I'm too timid, so I can't do it.
小心者なので人前で話すのが苦手だ。
I'm timid, so I'm not good at speaking in front of people.
見かけは強そうだが、実は小心者で虫も殺せない。
He looks tough, but he's actually a timid person who wouldn't hurt a fly.
小心者 describes a person who is timid, easily frightened, or excessively cautious. Composed of 小心 (timid) + 者 (person).
USAGE:
Often used self-deprecatingly or humorously. Less harsh than 臆病者 (coward) — it implies excessive caution rather than outright cowardice. Can function as a na-adjective: 小心者な性格 (a timid personality).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 小心者だから: because I'm timid
- 根っからの小心者: a timid person through and through
- 小心者ぶりを発揮する: to display one's timidity
RELATED WORDS:
- 臆病者: coward (stronger, harsher)
- 気が小さい: timid, easily worried
- 弱虫: weakling, crybaby (childish nuance)