Understanding 胆怯 (dǎn qiè)
胆怯 describes a state of timidity or fearfulness, often implying a lack of courage to face a situation. It is commonly used to describe people who hesitate or feel nervous, especially in social or challenging contexts.
Usage in Conversation
When someone is described as 胆怯, it usually means they are shy or afraid to act boldly. For example, a student might feel 胆怯 before giving a presentation. This word carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that overcoming this timidity is desirable.
Common Collocations
These collocations highlight how 胆怯 often relates to behavior and emotional expression.
Avoiding Confusion
胆怯 differs from simple shyness (害羞) because it emphasizes fear and lack of courage rather than just modesty or embarrassment. It also differs from 怕 (to fear) by focusing more on the timid character trait rather than a specific fear.
Use 胆怯 when you want to describe someone’s timid nature or their hesitation due to fear.