How to say "coward" in Japanese

• 弱虫よわむしCommon
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveCovers 'coward' in the sense of a scaredy cat or weakling, often used of children or teasingly. It suggests timidity and being easily frightened rather than deep moral cowardice.
  彼かれは弱虫よわむし扱あつかいをされておこった。↗

  He resented being called a coward.
• 臆病者おくびょうものCommon
  nounMatches 'coward' as a person lacking courage, with a more serious, condemnatory tone than 弱虫. Typical in accusations or criticism of someone who failed to act out of fear.
  「実じつを言ゆうと、俺おれ、高所こうしょ恐怖症きょうふしょうなんだ」「臆病おくびょう者しゃっ！」↗

  "To tell you the truth, I am scared of heights." "You are a coward!"
• チキンCommon
  noun, na-adjectiveA loanword covering 'coward', 'chicken' and 'wuss'. It is informal and often playful or taunting, as when daring someone: 'Don't be a chicken.'

Use 弱虫 for someone scared or easily frightened, 臆病者 for a person lacking courage more broadly, and 「チキン」 as an informal borrowed way to call someone chicken or a wuss.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 弱虫よわむしcoward
• 臆病者おくびょうものcoward
• 腰抜けこしぬけcoward
• 腑抜けふぬけcoward
• 意気地なしいくじなしcoward
• 卑怯者ひきょうものcoward
• 恐がりこわがりcoward
• 怯弱きょうじゃくcoward
• 懦夫だふcoward
• 根性なしこんじょうなしcoward
• 軟弱者なんじゃくものcoward
• びびりbeing easily frightened
• 小心者しょうしんものtimid person
• がしんたれgood-for-nothing
• チキンcoward
• へちゃむくれcoward
• 壺中こちゅうcoward