気弱|きよわkiyowa[0]heiban (flat)

1. na-adjective, nountimid; fainthearted

• Synonym臆病おくびょうNeutralCowardly; stresses being easily scared by the smallest things. Closer to pure timidity, while 「気弱」 also suggests weakness and lack of confidence.
• Synonym小心しょうしんWrittenWritten word for timidity mixed with caution; can also imply being overcareful to a fault. Often seen as 「小心者」.
• Synonym内気うちきNeutralShy and introverted; stresses holding back and not putting yourself forward out of bashfulness, without necessarily lacking courage the way 「気弱」 does.
• Synonym弱気よわきNeutralDescribes a negative, unconfident attitude — a temporary state of mind rather than a fixed trait; in trading it also means bearish.
• Synonym気が小さいきがちいさいNeutralColloquial phrase for a small-minded, timid nature; stresses fretting over trifles. More conversational than 「気弱」.
• RelatedシャイNeutralColloquial loanword for shy or bashful, with a light, easygoing tone; it lacks the negative sense of weakness that 「気弱」 carries.
• Related小胆しょうたんWrittenWritten word meaning timid and narrow-minded; rare, and more archaic and stiff than 「気弱」.
• Related気弱いきよわいNeutralThe adjective form, synonymous with 「気弱」 but rare; it stresses a weak will that wavers and cannot decide.
• Antonym勇敢ゆうかんWrittenWritten word for brave and fearless; the direct opposite of the timid, cowardly 「気弱」.
• Antonym気強いきづよいNeutralAntonym: strong-hearted and reassuring, the opposite of the weak, timid character that 「気弱」 describes.

Use 「気弱」 for a weak, unconfident character. Choose 「臆病」 for plain fearfulness, 「内気」 or 「シャイ」 for shyness, 「弱気」 for a temporary loss of confidence, 「気が小さい」 in casual talk, and 「小心」「小胆」 in formal prose.

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

1. 勇気ゆうきがなく、びくびくしていて、自信じしんのない様子ようす。