कायर
kaayarstandard
A coward is कायर (kaayar) in Hindi. In everyday talk people say डरपोक (darpok), which means someone who is easily scared.
Meaning: person who lacks courage (noun)
Ways to say it
| Indian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| कायर | kaayar | standard |
| डरपोक | darpok | everyday, insult |
कायर (kaayar) sounds serious, as in speeches, books and film dialogue. डरपोक (darpok) is more casual and often used for teasing.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both words are insults when aimed at someone. Between close friends डरपोक (darpok) can be a joke, but कायर (kaayar) is harsher.
How does it change in a sentence?
They are used for both men and women, and the verb agrees with the person, as in वह कायर है (vah kaayar hai).
Did you know?
- डरपोक (darpok) is built from डर (dar), fear, and a suffix that marks a person who has the trait.
Examples in context
- वह कायर नहीं है, बस थोड़ा घबरा गया।Vah kaayar nahin hai, bas thoda ghabra gaya.He is not a coward, he just got a little nervous.
- अरे डरपोक, डर क्यों रहा है?Are darpok, dar kyon raha hai?Hey scaredy-cat, why are you afraid?
Example conversation
Brothers Sachin and Nitin tease each other before a ride at a fair in Nashik.
- Sachinचलो, झूले पर बैठते हैं।Chalo, jhoole par baithte hain.Come on, let us sit on the swing ride.
- Nitinमुझे डर लग रहा है।Mujhe dar lag raha hai.I am scared.
- Sachinअरे डरपोक, कुछ नहीं होगा।Are darpok, kuchh nahin hoga.Hey scaredy-cat, nothing will happen.
