小心|しょうしんshoushin[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun, na-adjectivetimidity; cowardice
2. noun, na-adjectiveprudence; pedantry

• Synonym臆病おくびょうNeutralThe everyday word for cowardice, stressing how easily one is frightened; more direct than 「小心」 and common in daily speech.
• Synonym弱気よわきNeutralA negative, unconfident attitude that expects failure; the focus is usually on one's mindset in a given situation. Also means a bearish market.
• Synonym気弱きよわNeutralDescribes a weak, timid character lacking in confidence; more colloquial than 「小心」.
• Synonym小胆しょうたんWrittenWritten word for timidity and a want of courage; close to 「小心」 but rarer, seldom seen even in formal prose.
• Synonym心弱いこころよわいNeutralTenderhearted and weak inside; stresses a lack of inner strength, so one grows anxious easily and cannot make decisions.
• Synonym意気地のないいくじのないNeutralColloquial and reproachful: spineless, unable to face difficulties; a stronger put-down than 「小心」.
• Synonym気が小さいきがちいさいNeutralColloquial phrase for a timid nature that frets over trifles; close in meaning to 「小心」.
• Synonym腰抜けこしぬけNeutralA colloquial, insulting word for a coward — spineless and quick to panic; literally the hips giving way so one cannot stand.
• Synonym腑抜けふぬけNeutralA colloquial insult for a spineless wimp, as if the soul had left the body and no backbone remained.
• Synonym怯懦きょうだWrittenA rare written word: cowardly and indecisive, timid with no mind of one's own; has a stiff, Sino-Japanese flavor.
• Synonym怯弱きょうじゃくWrittenRare written word for a timid, shrinking, passive temperament; 「小心」 leans more toward over-caution.
• Synonym気弱いきよわいNeutralAn adjective meaning timid and cowardly; rare in speech and synonymous with 「気弱」.
• Related内気うちきNeutralIntroverted and bashful; stresses being shy with strangers and reluctant to show oneself, not necessarily cowardly.
• Related軟弱なんじゃくNeutralWeak and lacking firmness of stance or conviction; also said of soft, unstable ground.
• RelatedシャイNeutralLoanword for shy; colloquial, with a mild, even endearing nuance and no negative charge.
• Related不甲斐ないふがいないNeutralColloquial for gutless, disappointing behavior that lets people down; usable of oneself or others; 「小心」 is more about timidity.
• Related柔弱にゅうじゃくWrittenRare written word: soft and weak, stressing a lack of backbone and physical strength.
• Related女々しいめめしいNeutralDerogatory term for a man who is weak and unmanly; 「小心」 is more about timidity and over-caution.
• Related物怖じものおじNeutralFear toward people or occasions, like stage fright; often in 「物怖じしない」, unfazed by strangers or audiences.
• Antonym大胆だいたんNeutralBold and daring — the direct opposite of the timid, over-cautious 「小心」.
• Antonym豪胆ごうたんWrittenWritten word for dauntless boldness; the opposite of the cowardly 「小心」.

「小心」 in Japanese means timid and overly cautious — often as 「小心者」 — not the English sense of careful. For everyday timidity pick 「臆病」 or 「気が小さい」. 「弱気」 a pessimistic, unconfident stance (or a bearish market), 「内気」 and 「シャイ」 shyness, 「気弱」 a timid character. For insults use 「腰抜け」「腑抜け」 or the reproachful 「意気地のない」; 「不甲斐ない」 blames disappointing weakness. 「小胆」「怯懦」「怯弱」「柔弱」 are rare written words, 「軟弱」 is weakness of stance, 「女々しい」 unmanly weakness, 「物怖じ」 fear of people or occasions; antonyms 「大胆」「豪胆」.

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

1. 臆病おくびょうな心持こころもち。
2. 臆病おくびょうな。