卑怯|ひきょうhikyou[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Definitions
- na-adjective, nouncowardly; craven
- na-adjective, noununfair; mean; sneaky; dirty; dastardly
Conjugation
| Plain form | 卑怯（ひきょう） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 卑怯です（ひきょうです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 卑怯ではない（ひきょうではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 卑怯ではありません（ひきょうではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 卑怯だった（ひきょうだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 卑怯ではなかった（ひきょうではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 卑怯で（ひきょうで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 卑怯に（ひきょうに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 卑怯なら（ひきょうなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym卑劣ひれつWrittenWritten/formal prose word for low, despicable means; its degree of baseness is heavier than 「卑怯」.
- Synonym卑劣さWrittenWritten-style noun for the degree or base side of meanness; 「卑怯」 is an adjectival noun, so it describes directly while 「卑劣さ」 names the quality.
- Antonym勇敢ゆうかんNeutralNeutral; the opposite of 「卑怯」 on the brave–cowardly axis, meaning brave and fearless.
- Antonym正々堂々せいせいどうどうNeutralNeutral; the opposite of 「卑怯」 on the fair–unfair axis, meaning open, aboveboard conduct.
For underhanded tactics or cowardly, sneaky behavior, use 「卑怯」; in speech 「卑怯だ」 is very common. For something even more despicable, use 「卑劣」. The antonyms are 「正々堂々」 for fairness and 「勇敢」 for courage.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
