臆病・憶病|おくびょうokubyou[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
臆病臆病 is the most common form and the recommended choice for beginners when writing this word.
憶病憶病 is a rarely used form written entirely in kanji. You may encounter it, but beginners should use 臆病 instead.
Definitions
- na-adjective, nouncowardly; timid; easily frightened
Conjugation
| Plain form | 臆病（おくびょう） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 臆病です（おくびょうです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 臆病ではない（おくびょうではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 臆病ではありません（おくびょうではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 臆病だった（おくびょうだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 臆病ではなかった（おくびょうではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 臆病で（おくびょうで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 臆病に（おくびょうに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 臆病なら（おくびょうなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym小心しょうしんNeutralCovers timidity but also being overly cautious and small-minded, as in 「小心者」; 「臆病」 stresses being easily frightened by things.
- Synonym気弱きよわNeutralDescribes a weak, unassertive character, as in 「気弱な性格」; 「臆病」 stresses fear of things.
- Synonym弱気よわきNeutralCovers a passive, unconfident stance and also a bearish market outlook; 「臆病」 stresses fear.
- Synonym小胆しょうたんWrittenWritten/formal prose for lacking courage; 「臆病」 is the everyday, conversational word.
- Synonym怯弱きょうじゃくWrittenWritten/formal prose for weakness and cowardice; in daily speech you would say 「臆病」.
- Synonym怯懦きょうだWrittenWritten/formal prose for cowardice and a weak will; 「臆病」 is the more colloquial choice.
- Synonym気が小さいきがちいさいNeutralA set phrase for being small-minded and timid, as in 「気が小さい人」; 「臆病」 stresses being frightened.
- Related軟弱なんじゃくNeutralCovers a weak will and lack of backbone, and also soft, weak ground; 「臆病」 stresses fear.
- Related心弱いこころよわいNeutralSuggests a soft heart and weak resolve; 「臆病」 stresses timidity and fear.
- Related意気地のないいくじのないNeutralMeans spineless, with no gumption, as in 「意気地のない男」; 「臆病」 stresses being afraid.
- Related柔弱にゅうじゃくWrittenWritten/formal prose for weakness and effeminacy; 「臆病」 stresses timidity.
- Related腰抜けこしぬけCasualColloquial insult for a coward, with strong contempt; 「臆病」 is a neutral character description.
- Related腑抜けふぬけCasualColloquial and strongly contemptuous, for a spineless wimp; 「臆病」 is a neutral character description.
- Related物怖じものおじNeutralShrinking or being scared of things, including stage fright and shyness with strangers; often negative, as 「物怖じしない」. 「臆病」 names the timid character.
- Related気弱いきよわいNeutralAn adjective for a weak, faint-hearted character; 「臆病」 stresses being easily frightened.
- Antonym勇敢ゆうかんNeutralAntonym in courage: facing difficulties bravely, without fear.
- Antonym大胆だいたんNeutralAntonym: bold and daring, acting without fear.
- Antonym豪胆ごうたんWrittenWritten/formal prose antonym: bold and unflinching.
Use 「臆病」 for being timid or easily frightened when facing things. For a weak, unassertive character say 「気弱」, for small-minded timidity 「気が小さい」, for the insult 'coward' 「腰抜け」, and for shrinking from things 「物怖じ」. The written words 「小胆」「怯弱」「怯懦」 can usually be replaced by 「臆病」 in speech. Antonyms: 「勇敢」, 「大胆」.
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
