How to say "cowardly" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 卑怯ひきょうna-adjective, nounCovers cowardly in the morally condemnatory sense: unfair, sneaky, dishonorable behavior such as cheating or attacking someone defenseless. It strongly criticizes the person, not mere fearfulness.
- 臆病おくびょうna-adjective, nounCovers cowardly as a temperament: timid, easily frightened, hesitant to take risks. It describes a fearful character without necessarily condemning it, fitting someone afraid of dogs, needles, or failure.
- 卑劣ひれつna-adjective, nounRarely the word for plain cowardly: it really means mean, despicable, contemptible, stressing how base or dirty an act is. Use it for vile schemes, not for fearfulness.
- だらし無いだらしないi-adjectiveCovers cowardly only in the weak-willed sense: lacking backbone, giving in easily, failing to stand up for oneself. It criticizes spinelessness, not fearfulness or unfair tactics.
Choose 卑怯 for cowardice condemned as unfair or dishonorable, 臆病 for a timid, easily frightened temperament, 卑劣 mainly for despicable, contemptible acts rather than fear itself, and 「だらし無い」 for weak-willed spinelessness.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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