怯む

• 読み: ひるむ
• ローマ字: hirumu
• 漢字の分解: 怯 (kyo/hiru) — fear, cowardice, flinch
• 発音: /çi.ɾɯ.mɯ/

意味

To flinch; to recoil; to falter; to shrink back from fear or pressure.

A Group 1 (godan) verb. Describes the involuntary psychological or physical retreat in the face of a threat, intimidating opponent, or overwhelming situation. Often used in negative constructions (怯まずに, without flinching) to commend courage and resolve. Stronger than 躊躇う and carries a physical, instinctive quality.

例文

1. 強敵を前にしても、彼女は一切怯まなかった。
2. 激しいヤジにも怯まず、候補者は演説を続けた。
3. 突然の怒鳴り声に怯んで、彼は思わず後ずさりした。

使い方ガイド

場面: sports, politics, narrative, conflict

トーン: slightly literary

起源と歴史

From classical Japanese 怯む, derived from the adjective 怯 (kyo) meaning fear or cowardice. The verb suffix む (mu) transforms the state into an action. Long used in martial and literary contexts to describe warriors who hesitate or lose their nerve.

文化的背景

時代: Classical–Modern

世代: Adults

社会的背景: Universal