Japanese word

臆病

Pronunciation

Romajiokubyō

Meaning

  • na-adjectivetimid

Example

その犬は臆病です。so no inu wa oku byō de su

The dog is timid.

Illustration for 臆病 (timid)

More examples

初めての場所では、彼女は臆病になります。haji me te no ba sho de wa kano jo wa oku byō ni na ri ma su

She becomes timid in unfamiliar places.

Core concept

Describes a person or animal that tends to shrink from unfamiliar or threatening situations instead of facing them boldly.

Common phrases

  • 臆病な人oku byō na hito

    timid person

  • 臆病な動物oku byō na dō butsu

    timid animal

  • 臆病になるoku byō ni na ru

    become timid

Similar words

小心shiaoshin: Lacking courage and acting cautiously because of fear or weak nerves.
気弱kiyowa: Lacking confidence and easily giving in or losing heart.
内気uchiki: Reserved and slow to open up in social situations.

Definition in Japanese

気が弱く、恐れやすくて、物事に立ち向かう勇気が乏しいさま。ki ga yowa ku oso re ya su ku te mono goto ni ta chi mu ka u yū ki ga tobo shi i sa ma

Word origin

臆病 (okubyō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 臆 (oku, "inner feeling") and 病 (byō, "illness"), expressing a mind weakened by fear.

Usage tips

  • The adjective 臆病 (okubyō) can describe animals as well as people, and it often presents fearfulness as a disposition rather than a single frightened reaction.

Other meanings

  • cowardlyna-adjective
  • easily frightenedna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 臆病者okubyōshacowardnoun
  • 臆病さokubyōsatimiditynoun

Word lists with this word