小 心(しょうしん)

しょうしん

na-adjective, noun

timid; faint-hearted; cowardly

personality

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

Related Words

Compare: 臆病(おくびょう) (cowardly, chicken-hearted)

Compare: 慎重(しんちょう) (cautious, careful)

Antonym: 大胆(だいたん) (bold, daring)

general

Added 2026.3.30 23:31 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31

20500/20739_shoushin