胆怯

• Pinyin: dǎn qiè
• Hanzi breakdown: 胆 = 月 + 旦 (gallbladder, symbolic of courage); 怯 = 忄 + 去 (timid, shrinking away)

Meaning

Timid; cowardly; lacking the courage to face challenges or difficulties.

Describes a character trait or momentary state of being too fearful to act. Often used in contexts of criticism or self-reflection, or when encouraging someone to be bolder.

Examples

1. 面对强大的对手，他并没有表现出丝毫的胆怯。 Facing a powerful opponent, he didn’t show even a hint of fear.
2. 一个胆怯的领导者在危机时刻往往会做出错误的决定。 A timid leader often makes the wrong decisions in a crisis.
3. 她因胆怯而错过了一次改变命运的演讲机会。 Out of timidity, she missed a chance to give a speech that could have changed her life.

Usage Guide

Context: character, psychology, criticism

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 越是在关键时刻，越不能表现出胆怯。(Especially at critical moments, one must not show timidity.)
• 他对批评的胆怯使他一直无法取得突破。(His timidity toward criticism has kept him from making any breakthroughs.)

Don't Say

• 我对蜘蛛感到胆怯 — for specific phobias, 恐惧 or 害怕 is more natural; 胆怯 implies a weakness of character, not mere fear of a specific thing

Origin & History

胆 (gallbladder, courage) + 怯 (timid, afraid)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal