胆小

• 拼音: dǎn xiǎo
• 汉字拆解: 胆 (courage) + 小 (small)

含义

Timid; cowardly; easily frightened. Having a small amount of courage.

A common colloquial term describing someone who is easily scared or lacks courage. Often used with 鬼 (胆小鬼 - coward) as a mild insult. Can describe personality traits or momentary states of fear.

例句

1. 小时候我特别胆小，晚上都不敢一个人睡觉。
2. 别那么胆小，这只是一部恐怖电影而已。
3. 他看起来很强壮，其实是个胆小鬼。

用法指南

语境: everyday, personality, teasing

语气: colloquial

正确说法

• 你怎么这么胆小？(Why are you so timid?)
• 他从小就胆小。(He's been timid since childhood.)

错误说法

• 在正式场合说别人'胆小'可能冒犯——可以用'谨慎'或'小心'来委婉表达 (Calling someone 胆小 in formal situations can be offensive — use 谨慎 or 小心 for a gentler expression)

起源与历史

Compound of 胆 (gallbladder/courage) + 小 (small), literally meaning having little courage.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal