胆小
dǎnxiǎo
timid, cowardly
Part of speech · adjective
Pattern visualization
Examples
- 他从小就很胆小,怕黑。He has been timid since childhood and is afraid of the dark.
- 别那么胆小,大胆试一试。Don’t be so timid; try it boldly.
Collocations
胆小怕事胆小如鼠非常胆小胆小鬼
Mnemonic
胆 dǎn "gallbladder" + 小 xiǎo "small": a small gallbladder, i.e. timid, cowardly. In Chinese culture the gallbladder symbolizes courage. 胆小如鼠 = as timid as a mouse. Opposite of 胆大 (bold) and 勇敢 (brave).
Related
胆怯懦弱胆大勇敢
Quick check
Why does 胆 (gallbladder) in 胆小 convey timidity?