小心(しょうしん)

しょうしん
na-adjective
timid; faint-hearted; cowardly
1. timid; faint-hearted; cowardly; overly cautious
Having a fearful or anxious disposition; easily frightened or intimidated. Used to describe someone who lacks boldness.
彼(かれ)は小心(しょうしん)な性格(せいかく)だ。
He has a timid personality.
小心者(しょうしんもの)だから一人(ひとり)では行(い)けない。
I'm a coward, so I can't go alone.
見(み)かけによらず小心(しょうしん)なところがあり、人前(ひとまえ)で話(はな)すのが苦手(にがて)だ。
Despite appearances, he has a timid side and is bad at speaking in front of people.

Composed of 小(しょう) (small) + 心(しん) (heart), literally 'small-hearted.' Carries a somewhat negative connotation, implying excessive timidity or lack of courage.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 小心者(しょうしんもの): a timid person, a coward
  • 小心(しょうしん)な性格(せいかく): a timid personality
  • 小心翼々(しょうしんよくよく): extremely cautious and fearful (four-character idiom)

USAGE:
Often used self-deprecatingly (小心者(しょうしんもの)なので...) or to describe someone's hidden timidity that contrasts with their outward appearance.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 臆病(おくびょう): cowardly, chicken-hearted — stronger negative sense; more about fear of danger
  • 気(き)が小(ちい)さい: timid, meek — more colloquial; literally 'having a small spirit'
  • 慎重(しんちょう): cautious, careful — neutral to positive; prudent rather than fearful
  • 大胆(だいたん): bold, daring — the direct opposite
general
Added 2026.3.30 23:31
20500/20739_shoushin