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.
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