胆怯 dǎnqiè timidity
timidity; timid; cowardly
How to remember 胆怯: 胆 gallbladder + 怯 afraid = timidity.
Characters
How it is used
- Timid / faint-hearted - shrinking back from fear - 面对挑战毫不胆怯 (miànduì tiǎozhàn háo bù dǎnqiè) to face the challenge without a trace of timidity.
- Describes an inner lack of nerve in the moment; more formal than 害怕 (hàipà, afraid) and about courage, not the fear of a specific thing.
- Written register; often negated to praise bravery.
Example sentences
- 汤姆害羞胆怯。 Tāngmǔ hàixiū dǎnqiè.Tom is shy and cowardly.