dǎnqiè: 胆怯 - Timid, Fainthearted, Cowardly

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• Summary: Discover the full meaning of 胆怯 (dǎnqiè), a key Chinese adjective used to describe someone who is timid, fainthearted, or lacks courage. This guide breaks down the characters 胆 (dǎn) and 怯 (qiè), explores its cultural significance, and provides over 10 practical example sentences. Learn the crucial differences between being 胆怯 (dǎnqiè) (timid), 害怕 (hàipà) (scared), and 害羞 (hàixiū) (shy) to use the term accurately in modern Chinese conversation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dǎnqiè
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To be timid and lack courage; fainthearted.
• In a Nutshell: 胆怯 (dǎnqiè) describes a personality trait or a state of being where someone lacks inner bravery. It's not just about being scared of something specific in the moment (which is 害怕, hàipà), but about having a general disposition of timidity. Think of a person who consistently hesitates to speak up, try new things, or face challenges because of fear. This internal lack of fortitude is the core of 胆怯.

• 胆 (dǎn): This character's primary meaning is “gallbladder.” In Traditional Chinese Medicine and culture, the gallbladder (胆囊 dǎnnáng) is considered the organ responsible for courage, bravery, and decisiveness. Many words related to courage use this character, such as 胆大 (dǎndà) - bold.
• 怯 (qiè): This character is composed of the “heart” radical (忄, a variant of 心) on the left and 去 (qù - to go) on the right. Together, they create the image of a “heart that wants to go away” or flee. It signifies fear, timidity, and cowardice.

When combined, 胆怯 (dǎnqiè) literally translates to “gallbladder-fear,” painting a powerful picture of someone whose source of courage (胆) is overcome by their fearful heart (怯).

Bravery (勇敢, yǒnggǎn) is a highly esteemed virtue in Chinese culture, celebrated in everything from historical epics to modern workplace values. Consequently, being described as 胆怯 (dǎnqiè) often carries a more negative and critical weight than the English word “timid.” It can imply a character flaw or a lack of moral strength, especially in contexts that demand fortitude. A useful comparison is with the Western concept of “introversion.” An introvert might choose not to speak in a meeting because they find social interaction draining. This is seen as a neutral personality type. However, a person who is 胆怯 might want to speak but is paralyzed by the fear of being judged, making a mistake, or facing confrontation. While both result in silence, the underlying reason is different: one is about social energy, while 胆怯 is about a lack of courage. It suggests a weakness that, ideally, should be overcome.

胆怯 (dǎnqiè) is a standard adjective used in a variety of contexts, from describing a child's personality to self-reflection.

• Describing People: It's often used to characterize someone's general nature. For example, “他从小就有点儿胆怯” (He's been a bit timid since he was young). It's generally a negative label, so you would use it with care when describing an adult colleague or friend.
• Self-Critique: It can be used self-deprecatingly to explain one's own hesitation. “一想到要公开演讲，我就变得很胆怯” (The moment I think about public speaking, I become very timid).
• Formality: It is a standard term, appropriate for both written and spoken Chinese, but is slightly more formal than its close synonym 胆小 (dǎnxiǎo - “small-gallbladdered”).

• Example 1:
  • 面对困难，我们不能胆怯退缩。
  • Pinyin: Miàn duì kùnnan, wǒmen bùnéng dǎnqiè tuìsuō.
  • English: When facing difficulties, we cannot be timid and shrink back.
  • Analysis: This is a common motivational phrase, emphasizing that 胆怯 is a negative trait to be overcome when facing challenges.
• Example 2:
  • 这个小男孩虽然平时很胆怯，但在关键时刻却很勇敢。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiǎo nánhái suīrán píngshí hěn dǎnqiè, dànshì zài guānjiàn shíkè què hěn yǒnggǎn.
  • English: Although this little boy is usually very timid, he is very brave at critical moments.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts 胆怯 with 勇敢 (yǒnggǎn - brave), highlighting that it's a general disposition that can sometimes be overcome.
• Example 3:
  • 她因为胆怯，错过了很多好机会。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi dǎnqiè, cuòguòle hěnduō hǎo jīhuì.
  • English: Because she is fainthearted, she has missed many good opportunities.
  • Analysis: Here, 胆怯 is shown as the direct cause of negative consequences, reinforcing its undesirable nature.
• Example 4:
  • 他的声音里带有一丝胆怯。
  • Pinyin: Tā de shēngyīn lǐ dài yǒu yì sī dǎnqiè.
  • English: There was a trace of timidity in his voice.
  • Analysis: This shows that 胆怯 can describe a temporary state or feeling that is observable to others, not just a permanent personality trait.
• Example 5:
  • 你不要这么胆怯，大胆地把你的想法说出来！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ búyào zhème dǎnqiè, dàdǎn de bǎ nǐ de xiǎngfǎ shuō chūlái!
  • English: Don't be so timid, boldly speak your mind!
  • Analysis: A common piece of advice. The antonym 胆大 (dǎndà - bold) is used here in its adverbial form (大胆地) to encourage the opposite behavior.
• Example 6:
  • 我承认，在权威面前我有时会感到胆怯。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ chéngrèn, zài quánwēi miànqián wǒ yǒushí huì gǎndào dǎnqiè.
  • English: I admit, I sometimes feel timid in front of authority figures.
  • Analysis: A good example of using 胆怯 for self-reflection. It shows vulnerability and an awareness of one's own psychology.
• Example 7:
  • 那只小猫很胆怯，一有声音就躲起来。
  • Pinyin: Nà zhī xiǎo māo hěn dǎnqiè, yī yǒu shēngyīn jiù duǒ qǐlái.
  • English: That little kitten is very timid; it hides as soon as there's a sound.
  • Analysis: 胆怯 can also be used to describe the temperament of animals.
• Example 8:
  • 他的胆怯让他不敢追求自己喜欢的女孩。
  • Pinyin: Tā de dǎnqiè ràng tā bù gǎn zhuīqiú zìjǐ xǐhuān de nǚhái.
  • English: His timidity makes him not dare to pursue the girl he likes.
  • Analysis: Here, 胆怯 is treated as a noun (“his timidity”) that causes inaction in a social/romantic context.
• Example 9:
  • 在陌生的环境里，他显得有些胆怯和不安。
  • Pinyin: Zài mòshēng de huánjìng lǐ, tā xiǎnde yǒuxiē dǎnqiè hé bù'ān.
  • English: In the unfamiliar environment, he appeared a bit timid and uneasy.
  • Analysis: This links 胆怯 to a specific situation (unfamiliar surroundings) and pairs it with another feeling, 不安 (bù'ān - uneasy).
• Example 10:
  • 克服胆怯的心理是成功的第一步。
  • Pinyin: Kèfú dǎnqiè de xīnlǐ shì chénggōng de dì yī bù.
  • English: Overcoming a timid mentality is the first step to success.
  • Analysis: This sentence treats 胆怯 as a psychological barrier (胆怯的心理) that must be overcome for personal growth.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 胆怯 with 害怕 (hàipà) and 害羞 (hàixiū).

• 胆怯 (dǎnqiè) vs. 害怕 (hàipà) - Timid vs. Scared
  • 胆怯 is a disposition (being timid). 害怕 is a momentary emotion (feeling scared). A brave person (不胆怯) can still feel scared (害怕) of something, like a huge dog or a horror movie.
  • Incorrect: 我很胆怯那只狗。(Wǒ hěn dǎnqiè nà zhī gǒu.)
  • Correct: 我很害怕那只狗。(Wǒ hěn hàipà nà zhī gǒu.) - I'm scared of that dog.
  • Correct: 他性格胆怯，所以他害怕跟陌生人说话。(Tā xìnggé dǎnqiè, suǒyǐ tā hàipà gēn mòshēng rén shuōhuà.) - His personality is timid, so he is scared of talking to strangers.
• 胆怯 (dǎnqiě) vs. 害羞 (hàixiū) - Timid vs. Shy/Bashful
  • 胆怯 is about a lack of courage to face risk or challenge. 害羞 is about social awkwardness or embarrassment, often in response to attention or in romantic situations. A powerful, confident CEO can feel 害羞 when complimented, but she is not 胆怯.
  • Use Case: A student doesn't ask a question in class. If it's because they fear being wrong or challenged by the professor, the root cause is 胆怯. If it's because they don't like being the center of attention, the root cause is more likely 害羞.

• 勇敢 (yǒnggǎn) - The direct antonym: brave, courageous.
• 胆小 (dǎnxiǎo) - A very close synonym, literally “small gallbladder.” It's slightly more colloquial than 胆怯.
• 胆大 (dǎndà) - An antonym, literally “big gallbladder.” It means bold, daring, and sometimes reckless.
• 害怕 (hàipà) - A related verb/adjective meaning to be scared or afraid of a specific object or situation.
• 害羞 (hàixiū) - A related concept describing social shyness or bashfulness, not a lack of courage.
• 懦弱 (nuòruò) - A stronger, much more negative synonym meaning cowardly or weak-willed. Being called 懦弱 is a serious insult.
• 恐惧 (kǒngjù) - A stronger, more formal term for fear or terror. It describes an intense state of fear, not a personality trait.
• 退缩 (tuìsuō) - A verb describing the action that often results from being 胆怯: to shrink back, flinch, or retreat.