1.
coward; timid person
A person who is easily frightened or lacks courage. Carries a negative, often contemptuous nuance when used to describe someone directly.
臆病者と呼ばれた。
I was called a coward.
彼は臆病者ではない。ただ慎重なだけだ。
He's not a coward. He's just cautious.
臆病者だと思われたくなくて、無理して挑戦した。
Not wanting to be seen as a coward, I pushed myself to take on the challenge.
Composed of 臆病 (cowardice, timidity) and 者 (person). This is a direct, somewhat harsh label for someone who lacks courage. Note that 者 (not 者) is used here, giving it a more colloquial and personal tone.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 臆病者と呼ぶ: to call someone a coward
- 臆病者め: you coward! (contemptuous)
- 臆病者だと思われる: to be thought of as a coward
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 臆病: cowardice — the quality itself, used as a na-adjective or noun
- 弱虫: weakling, crybaby — more childish insult, often used among children
- 卑怯者: coward, unfair person — emphasizes cowardice combined with dishonesty or foul play