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胆怯
dǎn qiè
What does "胆怯" mean in English?
timid他因为胆怯，不敢在公开场合发言。
He was too timid to speak in public.
How to use "胆怯" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
neutral
lacking courage or confidence; easily frightened
面对陌生人时，她总是显得有些胆怯。
She always seems a bit timid around strangers.
他胆怯地退缩了，不敢面对挑战。
He shrank back timidly, unable to face the challenge.
Used to describe a person's behavior or attitude in situations requiring bravery.
Pro Tip
Avoiding confusion with '胆小'
'胆小' (dǎn xiǎo) means 'timid' or 'cowardly' and is more general, often describing a person's inherent trait. '胆怯' is more situational, focusing on a specific moment of fear or hesitation.
Gold Rule
Usage in sentences
Use '胆怯' to describe someone's behavior in a specific context where they lack courage, rather than their overall personality. For example: '他面对考试感到胆怯' (He felt timid before the exam) vs. '他性格胆小' (He is timid by nature).
Word Origin
胆 (dǎn) means 'gallbladder' or 'courage' in classical Chinese, metaphorically representing bravery. 怯 (qiè) means 'timid' or 'fearful'. Combined, it describes a lack of courage or confidence.
Usage Notes
胆怯 is a neutral-to-negative term describing a person's temporary or situational lack of courage. It is not as strong as '懦弱' (cowardly) or '怯懦' (cowardice), which imply a more inherent weakness.
Word Breakdown
胆
courage or gallbladder (metaphorically)
root怯
timid or fearful
root汉英词典