臆病者
okubyōmono[o̞kɯ̟bʲo̞ːmo̞no̞]
The English phrase 'scaredy cat' can be translated into Japanese as 臆病者 (okubyōmono).
Japanese has several ways to describe someone who lacks courage or is easily frightened. The standard noun 臆病者 refers to a coward or a scaredy cat. If you want to describe someone who simply has a tendency to be easily startled without necessarily attacking their character, you can use the more colloquial 怖がり屋.
Which one should you use?
While 臆病者 is a standard term that can act as a direct insult depending on your tone, 怖がり屋 is a less harsh, informal way to describe someone who gets easily frightened. For very casual or slang contexts, you might use ビビり or the English-derived チキン.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
臆病者 is a formal or standard noun, though its impact varies based on how it is spoken. In contrast, 怖がり屋 is an informal option that feels softer, while ビビり is considered colloquial slang and チキン is an informal borrowed term.
How does it change in a sentence?
臆病者 is a noun and does not change its form based on whether the person being described is male or female.
How do you pronounce it?
okubyōmono
Did you know?
- The first character in 臆病者, 臆, refers to the 'chest' or 'heart' area, implying that a coward is someone whose very center or spirit is easily shaken.
- The slang term ビビり (bibiri) comes from the verb 'bibiru', which describes the involuntary shudder or flinch one makes when startled.
- In Japanese pop culture, particularly in anime, characters who are frequent 'scaredy cats' are often accompanied by exaggerated physical comedy involving shrinking or trembling to emphasize their fright.
Examples in context
- あの子はビビりだから、ジェットコースターには絶対乗らないよ。That kid is a scaredy cat, so they will never ride a roller coaster, no matter what.
- 彼は本当の臆病者だ。Kare wa hontou no okubyoumono da.He is a real scaredy cat.
- そんな臆病者になっちゃダメだよ。Sonna okubyoumono ni natcha dame da yo.You shouldn't be such a scaredy cat.
- あいつはただの臆病者なんだ。Aitsu wa tada no okubyoumono nan da.That guy is just a scaredy cat.
Example conversation
A boy is afraid to enter a dark room.
- 陽葵 Himari暗い部屋に入るのが怖いの？Kurai heya ni hairu no ga kowai no?Are you afraid of entering the dark room?
- 陽太 Yotaいや、別に怖くないよ。Iya, betsu ni kowaku nai yo.No, I'm not afraid at all.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太は臆病者なのね。Youta wa okubyoumono na no ne.You are a scaredy cat, Youta.
- 陽太 Yotaそんなことないって！Sonna koto nai tte!That's not true!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 臆病者, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 臆病者, CC BY-SA 4.0.
