弱虫(よわむし)

よわむし
noun, na-adjective
coward; wimp; crybaby
1. coward; wimp; crybaby
A person who is timid, easily frightened, or cries easily. Used as a mild insult or teasing term, especially among children.
弱虫(よわむし)！泣(な)くな。
Don't be a crybaby! Stop crying.
子供(こども)の頃(ころ)は弱虫(よわむし)だった。
I was a wimp when I was a kid.
弱虫(よわむし)と呼(よ)ばれるのが嫌(いや)で、勇気(ゆうき)を出(だ)して挑戦(ちょうせん)した。
I didn't want to be called a coward, so I mustered my courage and took on the challenge.

A compound of 弱(よわ)い (weak) and 虫(むし) (bug/insect). The 虫(むし) suffix is used in several Japanese words to describe personality types, similar to English expressions like "bookworm."

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 弱虫(よわむし)な子(こ): a timid child
  • 弱虫(よわむし)と呼(よ)ばれる: to be called a wimp
  • 弱虫(よわむし)を克服(こくふく)する: to overcome one's timidity

RELATED WORDS WITH 虫(むし):

  • 泣(な)き虫(むし): crybaby (focuses specifically on crying)
  • 怠(なま)け虫(むし): lazybones
  • 本(ほん)の虫(むし): bookworm

USAGE:
Most commonly used by or about children. Among adults, it is playful or teasing rather than a serious insult. Can function as a な-adjective when modifying nouns: 弱虫(よわむし)な性格(せいかく) (a timid personality).

general
Added 2026.3.28 14:20
20000/20009_yowamushi