弱虫|よわむしyowamushi[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. na-adjective, no-adjectivecoward; weakling; scaredy cat; wimp; sissy
   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.

• Synonym臆病者おくびょうものNeutralA timid, easily scared person; stresses timidity rather than weakness, and sounds slightly more formal than 「弱虫」.
• Synonym意気地なしいくじなしNeutralA spineless person who backs down from difficulties; stresses a lack of guts and drive. Almost interchangeable with 「弱虫」.
• Synonym腰抜けこしぬけCasualColloquial: literally someone whose legs give way and they cannot stand; by extension a spineless coward, carrying a strong insulting tone.
• Synonym小心者しょうしんものNeutralA timid, overly cautious person; stresses wariness and nervousness more than lack of courage.
• RelatedチキンCasualColloquial loanword for a coward, common among young people, as in 「チキンだな」.
• Related泣き虫なきむしCasualColloquial: a crybaby who cries at the drop of a hat, not necessarily a coward. Only loosely related to 「弱虫」.
• Related恐がりこわがりNeutralSomeone easily frightened, often used for fear of ghosts or the dark; stresses being scared rather than weak.
• Related弱みそよわみそCasualColloquial: someone physically weak or weak-willed; an older word with a dialectal flavor.
• RelatedなきみそCasualColloquial: an older word for a crybaby, synonymous with 「泣き虫」; not necessarily cowardly, so only loosely related to 「弱虫」.
• Antonym勇者ゆうしゃNeutralA brave person or hero, often the hero of games and stories; the direct opposite of a coward.
• Antonym豪傑ごうけつNeutralA bold, daring person with real courage and drive; the opposite of a coward.
• Antonym強気つよきNeutralConfident and assertive in attitude, as in 「強気な発言」; the opposite of being timid.

Call a coward 「弱虫」, 「意気地なし」 or 「臆病者」 in everyday speech; young people often say 「チキン」. For a crybaby use 「泣き虫」. The opposite of a coward is 「勇者」.

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

1. 意気地いくじのない者もの。臆病者おくびょうもの。