When you learn Chinese, you'll find words like 胆怯 (dǎn qiè) helpful. It's an adjective that means someone is timid or cowardly. Imagine a little mouse who is scared of everything – that's 胆怯. If someone is very shy and afraid to speak up, you can say they are 胆怯. It's a useful word to describe people who lack courage.
胆怯 in 30 Sekunden
- shy
- timid
- cowardly
You've learned that 胆怯 (dǎn qiè) means timid or cowardly. But Chinese has other words that describe similar feelings or behaviors. Knowing the nuances helps you choose the right word every time.
§ Comparing 胆怯 (dǎn qiè) with 害怕 (hài pà)
害怕 (hài pà) is a very common word meaning 'to be afraid' or 'to fear'. The main difference is that 害怕 describes the feeling of fear, while 胆怯 describes a personality trait or a characteristic behavior. Someone who is 胆怯 often feels 害怕.
- Definition
- To be afraid; to fear.
我害怕考试。
Wǒ hàipà kǎoshì.
I am afraid of exams.
他从小就有点胆怯。
Tā cóng xiǎo jiù yǒu diǎn dǎnqiè.
He has been a bit timid since childhood.
§ Comparing 胆怯 (dǎn qiè) with 害羞 (hài xiū)
害羞 (hài xiū) means shy or bashful. While a shy person might also be timid, these words aren't interchangeable. 害羞 focuses on discomfort or awkwardness in social situations, often due to modesty or self-consciousness. 胆怯 is about a lack of courage or a fear of consequences.
- Definition
- Shy; bashful.
她是一个很害羞的女孩。
Tā shì yīgè hěn hàixiū de nǚhái.
She is a very shy girl.
他因为胆怯不敢上前。
Tā yīnwèi dǎnqiè bù gǎn shàngqián.
He didn't dare to step forward because of his timidity.
§ Comparing 胆怯 (dǎn qiè) with 懦弱 (nuò ruò)
懦弱 (nuò ruò) is a stronger word for cowardly or weak. While 胆怯 can describe a general cautiousness or apprehension, 懦弱 implies a significant lack of courage, often to the point of being considered a flaw or a negative character trait. It suggests a moral weakness, whereas 胆怯 is often more about an innate disposition.
- Definition
- Cowardly; weak.
他不应该那么懦弱，应该勇敢面对。
Tā bù yìnggāi nàme nuòruò, yīnggāi yǒnggǎn miànduì.
He shouldn't be so cowardly; he should face it bravely.
他虽然有点胆怯，但绝不是个懦弱的人。
Tā suīrán yǒu diǎn dǎnqiè, dàn jué búshì gè nuòruò de rén.
Although he is a bit timid, he is definitely not a cowardly person.
§ Summary: When to use 胆怯 (dǎn qiè)
Use 胆怯 when describing a general personality trait of being timid, hesitant, or easily scared.
It focuses on a lack of boldness or courage in various situations.
It's less about a specific feeling (like 害怕) and more about an enduring characteristic.
It's generally softer than 懦弱, which implies a greater degree of weakness or cowardice.
How Formal Is It?
"面对强敌，他没有表现出丝毫的怯懦。"
"小孩子初次见到陌生人时会有些胆怯。"
"别那么胆小，大胆去尝试一下！"
"小猫见到生人有点害羞，躲起来了。"
"你别怂啊，上啊！"
Wichtige Grammatik
Can be used directly before a noun to describe it, often with 的 (de).
他是一个胆怯的人。(Tā shì yīgè dǎnqiè de rén.) He is a timid person.
Can be used as a predicate after verbs like 显得 (xiǎnde, seem/appear) or 感到 (gǎndào, feel).
她显得有些胆怯。(Tā xiǎnde yǒuxiē dǎnqiè.) She seemed a bit timid.
Can be modified by adverbs of degree like 很 (hěn, very), 有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr, a little), or 非常 (fēicháng, extremely).
他有点儿胆怯，不敢说话。(Tā yǒudiǎnr dǎnqiè, bù gǎn shuōhuà.) He is a little timid and dare not speak.
Can be used in a structure like 变得胆怯 (biànde dǎnqiè, become timid) to indicate a change in state.
自从那次失败后，他变得胆怯了。(Zìcóng nà cì shībài hòu, tā biànde dǎnqiè le.) Since that failure, he has become timid.
Can be used as a complement after a verb to describe the manner of an action, though this is less common for '胆怯' itself and more for related adverbs like '胆怯地'.
他胆怯地看了我一眼。(Tā dǎnqiè de kànle wǒ yīyǎn.) He timidly glanced at me.
Beispiele nach Niveau
小狗很胆怯，不敢过来。
The puppy is very timid and dare not come over.
很 (hěn) indicates 'very'.
她有点胆怯，不敢大声说话。
She is a bit timid and dare not speak loudly.
有点 (yǒudiǎn) indicates 'a little' or 'a bit'.
这个孩子太胆怯了，不敢和陌生人说话。
This child is too timid and dare not talk to strangers.
太...了 (tài...le) indicates 'too...'.
他看起来很胆怯，总是低着头。
He looks very timid, always keeping his head down.
看起来 (kànqǐlái) means 'looks like'.
不要胆怯，勇敢一点。
Don't be timid, be a bit braver.
不要 (búyào) means 'don't'.
她跑步时有点胆怯，怕摔倒。
She is a bit timid when running, afraid of falling.
时 (shí) means 'when' or 'at the time of'.
老师说，我们不要胆怯，要积极发言。
The teacher said, we shouldn't be timid, we should speak up actively.
要 (yào) means 'to want to' or 'should'.
虽然他很胆怯，但是心里很善良。
Although he is very timid, he is very kind at heart.
虽然...但是 (suīrán...dànshì) means 'although...but'.
他有点胆怯，不敢当众说话。
He is a bit timid and doesn't dare to speak in public.
小狗看到陌生人，有点胆怯地躲在主人身后。
The puppy saw a stranger and hid timidly behind its owner.
她虽然胆怯，但最后还是鼓起勇气完成了任务。
Although she was timid, she eventually mustered the courage to complete the task.
不要胆怯，大胆尝试新事物。
Don't be timid, bravely try new things.
面对困难，我们不能胆怯。
Facing difficulties, we cannot be timid.
那个孩子很胆怯，不喜欢和别人玩。
That child is very timid and doesn't like to play with others.
第一次参加比赛，他显得有些胆怯。
Participating in the competition for the first time, he seemed a bit timid.
老师鼓励那些胆怯的学生多发言。
The teacher encouraged those timid students to speak more.
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Adjektive
So verwendest du es
胆怯 (dǎn qiè) describes a person who is easily frightened or hesitant, especially in social situations or when facing challenges. It often implies a lack of courage or confidence. It can also describe a person’s actions or demeanor, for example, 他看起来有些胆怯 (Tā kàn qǐlái yǒuxiē dǎn qiè) – He looks a bit timid.
A common mistake is to confuse 胆怯 with other words that mean shy or reserved. While a timid person might also be shy, 胆怯 specifically emphasizes the lack of courage or tendency to shrink back from situations, whereas words like 害羞 (hài xiū) focus more on discomfort in social interactions without necessarily implying fear or lack of bravery.
Tipps
Basic Meaning
胆怯 (dǎn qiè) means timid or cowardly. It describes someone who lacks courage or is easily frightened.
Usage with people
You can use 胆怯 to describe a person's personality or a specific action. For example, 他很胆怯 (Tā hěn dǎnqiè) means 'He is very timid'.
Usage with actions
It often describes a feeling or state of being. For instance, 他感到有些胆怯 (Tā gǎndào yǒuxiē dǎnqiè) means 'He felt a bit cowardly'.
Synonym: 害羞 (hàixiū)
While related, 胆怯 is stronger than 害羞 (hàixiū - shy). 害羞 implies social awkwardness, while 胆怯 implies a lack of courage or fear.
Antonym: 勇敢 (yǒnggǎn)
The opposite of 胆怯 is 勇敢 (yǒnggǎn), which means brave or courageous.
Common Sentence Pattern 1
Subject + 很/有点/有些 + 胆怯. Example: 那个孩子有点胆怯 (Nàgè háizi yǒudiǎn dǎnqiè - That child is a bit timid).
Common Sentence Pattern 2
Subject + 感到 + 胆怯. Example: 他在陌生人面前感到胆怯 (Tā zài mòshēngrén miànqián gǎndào dǎnqiè - He feels timid in front of strangers).
Verb + 胆怯
You might see it in phrases like 表现出胆怯 (biǎoxiàn chū dǎnqiè - show timidity) or 克服胆怯 (kèfú dǎnqiè - overcome timidity).
Not for 'shy' in general
Don't use 胆怯 if you just mean someone is generally quiet or reserved. Use 害羞 for that. 胆怯 implies a fear or lack of nerve.
Context is key
The specific nuance of 胆怯 can vary with context. Always consider what kind of fear or lack of courage is being described.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Imagine a **dan**cing chicken who is so **qie** (scared) that it can barely move. **Danqie** sounds like 'dancing chicken' and it helps you remember 'timid' or 'cowardly.'
Visuelle Assoziation
Picture a small, frightened mouse, perhaps hiding behind a curtain, with huge, trembling eyes. This mouse is very 胆怯 (dǎnqiè).
Word Web
Herausforderung
Describe a time when you felt 胆怯 or saw someone else being 胆怯. For example, '我第一次上台演讲的时候非常胆怯。' (Wǒ dì yī cì shàngtái yǎnjiǎng de shíhou fēicháng dǎnqiè. - The first time I gave a speech on stage, I was very timid.)
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenBoth 胆怯 (dǎnqiè) and 害羞 (hàixiū) involve a feeling of unease, but they are different. 胆怯 (dǎnqiè) means timid or cowardly, often because of fear or lack of courage. For example, if someone is afraid to speak in public, they might be described as 胆怯. 害羞 (hàixiū) means shy or embarrassed, usually in social situations. Someone who is 害羞 might blush when they are complimented. While there can be overlap, 胆怯 is more about fear and lack of bravery, and 害羞 is more about social discomfort.
Yes, absolutely! You can use 胆怯 to describe an animal that is timid or easily frightened. For example, you might say: 这只小狗很胆怯，总是躲在沙发后面。 (Zhè zhī xiǎo gǒu hěn dǎnqiè, zǒng shì duǒ zài shāfā hòumiàn.) This little dog is very timid, always hiding behind the sofa.
Generally, yes, 胆怯 has a negative connotation. It implies a lack of courage or being overly fearful, which is usually not seen as a positive trait. However, it's more of a descriptive word than an insult. For example, if someone is naturally 胆怯, it's just describing their personality.
You would use 胆怯 to describe someone who is hesitant or fearful in situations that require bravery or confidence. For example:
- 他因为胆怯，不敢在会议上发言。 (Tā yīnwèi dǎnqiè, bù gǎn zài huìyì shàng fāyán.) He was timid and didn't dare to speak at the meeting.
- 面对挑战，我们不能胆怯。 (Miànduì tiǎozhàn, wǒmen bù néng dǎnqiè.) We cannot be timid when facing challenges.
- 这个孩子很胆怯，不敢和陌生人说话。 (Zhège háizi hěn dǎnqiè, bù gǎn hé mòshēng rén shuōhuà.) This child is very timid and doesn't dare to talk to strangers.
A less formal synonym for 胆怯 (dǎnqiè) could be 害怕 (hàipà), which means 'to be afraid.' However, 害怕 is a verb and describes the feeling of fear itself, whereas 胆怯 is an adjective describing someone's character or state of being. Another related term is 懦弱 (nuòruò), which is also an adjective and means 'cowardly' or 'weak,' and is often a stronger and more negative term than 胆怯.
Let's break down the characters. 胆 (dǎn) literally means 'gallbladder,' but it's also used to represent courage or guts (like in the idiom '有胆量' meaning 'to have guts'). 怯 (qiè) means 'timid' or 'scared.' So, literally, 胆怯 can be thought of as having 'timid guts' or 'lacking courage.' This might help you remember its meaning of timid or cowardly.
No, 胆怯 is primarily an adjective in Chinese. It describes a state or characteristic. If you want to express the action of becoming timid or showing timidity, you would typically use phrases like 变得胆怯 (biànde dǎnqiè) meaning 'to become timid,' or 表现出胆怯 (biǎoxiàn chū dǎnqiè) meaning 'to show timidity.'
The CEFR level for 胆怯 is B2. This means it's a word that intermediate to upper-intermediate learners should be familiar with.
Yes, common antonyms for 胆怯 (dǎnqiè) include:
- 勇敢 (yǒnggǎn): brave; courageous.
- 大胆 (dàdǎn): bold; daring.
While 胆怯 (dǎnqiè) often describes a person's character (e.g., '他很胆怯'), it can also describe the feeling or state of being timid in a particular situation. So you can say someone 感到胆怯 (gǎndào dǎnqiè), meaning 'to feel timid,' or that they are 心生胆怯 (xīn shēng dǎnqiè), meaning 'to feel a sudden timidity.' It encompasses both an inherent trait and a situational feeling.
Teste dich selbst 42 Fragen
她很___。
Here, '好' (hǎo) means 'good'. It fits the context of describing someone positively at an A1 level.
我___学生。
Here, '是' (shì) means 'am/is/are'. It's a fundamental verb for stating identity at an A1 level.
他___水。
Here, '喝' (hē) means 'to drink'. It's the correct verb for 'water' (水, shuǐ) at an A1 level.
这是我的___。
Here, '书' (shū) means 'book'. It's a common noun introduced early at an A1 level.
你___吗？
Here, '好' (hǎo) is used in the common greeting '你好吗?' (Nǐ hǎo ma?), meaning 'How are you?' at an A1 level.
我爱___。
Here, '你' (nǐ) means 'you'. '我爱你' (Wǒ ài nǐ) is 'I love you', a basic A1 phrase.
He seems a little...
She is too... to speak.
Don't be..., be brave.
Read this aloud:
他有点胆怯。
Focus: 胆怯 (dǎn qiè)
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
她很胆怯，不敢唱歌。
Focus: 不敢 (bù gǎn)
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
你为什么那么胆怯？
Focus: 为什么 (wèi shén me)
Du hast gesagt:
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This sentence describes someone feeling a bit timid and not daring to speak. The correct order follows a typical subject-adjective-verb structure.
This sentence describes a child who is very timid and always hides behind their mother. The structure follows subject-adadverb-adjective-adverb-verb-object.
This sentence encourages someone not to be timid and to bravely try new things. It starts with a negative command, followed by an adjective-adverb combination and a verb phrase.
她看起来很___，不敢一个人回家。
The sentence describes someone who is afraid to go home alone, so 'timid' (胆怯) fits best.
面对陌生人，他总是显得有点___。
When facing strangers, a common reaction for some is to be 'timid' (胆怯).
不要因为害怕失败而___不前。
The phrase '不敢不前' (dare not move forward) suggests 'timidity' (胆怯) due to fear of failure.
虽然他心里很___，但还是硬着头皮上了台。
The phrase '硬着头皮上了台' (forced himself to go on stage) implies he felt 'timid' (胆怯) but overcame it.
小狗见到生人总是很___，躲在主人身后。
A dog hiding behind its owner when seeing strangers indicates it is 'timid' (胆怯).
老师鼓励那些___的学生多发言。
Teachers often encourage 'timid' (胆怯) students to speak up more.
面对陌生人，他总是显得有点___，不敢主动和人交流。
The sentence describes someone who is hesitant to interact with strangers, which aligns with the meaning of '胆怯' (timid). '勇敢' means brave, '自信' means confident, and '开朗' means outgoing.
小猫咪在面对大狗时，总是表现得十分___，躲在主人身后。
The context describes a kitten hiding behind its owner when facing a large dog, indicating timidity. '活泼' means lively, '顽皮' means mischievous, and '凶猛' means fierce.
尽管心里害怕，他还是努力克服自己的___，勇敢地站了出来。
The sentence states that despite fear, he overcame his feeling to stand out bravely, suggesting that '胆怯' (timidity) was the feeling he overcame. '好奇' means curious, '兴奋' means excited, and '抱怨' means to complain.
她天生性格内向，对待不熟悉的环境总是有些___。
An introverted person would likely be timid in unfamiliar environments. '乐观' means optimistic, '积极' means positive, and '奔放' means unrestrained.
第一次登台演讲，即使是经验丰富的演员也可能会感到一丝___。
Even experienced actors might feel a touch of timidity or stage fright when performing for the first time on a new stage. '自豪' means proud, '从容' means calm/composed, and '满足' means satisfied.
不要因为害怕失败而变得___，要敢于尝试。
The advice is not to become timid because of fear of failure, but to be brave and try. '自信' means confident, '果断' means decisive, and '坚定' means firm.
Describe a time you or someone you know felt 胆怯 (dǎnqiè). What caused this feeling, and how was it overcome (or not)?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我记得有一次，我的朋友在公共场合发言时感到非常胆怯。她的手一直在颤抖，声音也很小。我们鼓励她深呼吸，慢慢地说。最后，她虽然紧张，但还是成功地完成了演讲。她告诉我，虽然很胆怯，但能完成任务让她感到很欣慰。
Compare and contrast 胆怯 (dǎnqiè) with another similar emotion, like 害怕 (hàipà - scared) or 害羞 (hàixiū - shy). Provide examples to illustrate the differences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
胆怯和害怕虽然都指负面情绪，但有区别。胆怯更侧重于因为缺乏勇气而不敢做某事，比如一个胆怯的孩子不敢独自走夜路。害怕则是一种对危险或未知事物的本能反应，比如看到蛇会害怕。而害羞通常指面对陌生人或特定情境时的不自在，比如一个害羞的女孩不敢主动和男生说话。
Write a short paragraph about how a person's 胆怯 (dǎnqiè) can affect their personal or professional life. What advice would you give to someone struggling with this emotion?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
一个人的胆怯会严重影响他们的个人和职业生活。在个人生活中，他们可能不敢尝试新事物，错过很多机会，甚至影响社交关系。在职业上，胆怯可能导致他们不敢表达自己的观点，错失晋升机会。对于这样的人，我会建议他们从小事开始，一步步地挑战自己，比如先在小团体中发言，然后逐渐扩大范围。同时，也要认识到每个人都会有胆怯的时候，重要的是如何面对和克服。
根据短文，小明为什么对参加演讲比赛感到胆怯？
Read this passage:
小明从小就性格内向，做事总是瞻前顾后，显得有些胆怯。有一次，老师让他参加学校的演讲比赛，他虽然心里很想尝试，但一想到要在那么多人面前讲话，就感到手足无措，甚至想打退堂鼓。他的父母看出了他的犹豫，鼓励他勇敢地迈出这一步，告诉他无论结果如何，尝试本身就是一种成功。在父母和老师的鼓励下，小明最终鼓起勇气，站上了演讲台。
根据短文，小明为什么对参加演讲比赛感到胆怯？
短文中提到“一想到要在那么多人面前讲话，就感到手足无措”，这直接说明了他胆怯的原因。
短文中提到“一想到要在那么多人面前讲话，就感到手足无措”，这直接说明了他胆怯的原因。
小李的胆怯主要体现在哪方面？
Read this passage:
在面试前，小李总是感到有些胆怯。他担心自己表现不好，说错话，或者回答不出考官的问题。这种胆怯的情绪让他很难放松，以至于在真正的面试中，他往往不能发挥出自己最好的水平。他知道自己需要克服这种心理障碍，但每次都事与愿违。
小李的胆怯主要体现在哪方面？
短文中明确指出他担心“自己表现不好，说错话，或者回答不出考官的问题”，这些都属于对面试表现的焦虑。
短文中明确指出他担心“自己表现不好，说错话，或者回答不出考官的问题”，这些都属于对面试表现的焦虑。
这段文字主要想表达什么观点？
Read this passage:
勇敢面对挑战并不意味着没有胆怯。真正的勇敢，是尽管心里感到胆怯，仍然选择去尝试，去克服。就像一个士兵，虽然面对敌人会感到恐惧和胆怯，但他依然会拿起武器，履行自己的职责。所以，胆怯并不可怕，可怕的是被胆怯所控制，放弃了行动。
这段文字主要想表达什么观点？
文章中提到“真正的勇敢，是尽管心里感到胆怯，仍然选择去尝试，去克服”，明确表达了这个观点。
文章中提到“真正的勇敢，是尽管心里感到胆怯，仍然选择去尝试，去克服”，明确表达了这个观点。
Choose the sentence where “胆怯” is used correctly.
“胆怯” means timid or cowardly. The sentence '他因为害怕失败而胆怯。' (He was timid because he was afraid of failure.) uses the word correctly to describe someone avoiding something due to fear. '她胆怯地接受了挑战。' (She timidly accepted the challenge.) is contradictory. '这个孩子非常胆怯，敢于尝试新鲜事物。' (This child is very timid, daring to try new things.) is contradictory. '我们应该鼓励胆怯的人多发言。' (We should encourage timid people to speak more.) is grammatically correct but doesn't make the best use of the word in context with the other options.
Which of the following words is a synonym for “胆怯”?
“胆怯” (dǎnqiè) means timid or cowardly. “懦弱” (nuòruò) also means cowardly or weak, making it the closest synonym. “勇敢” (yǒnggǎn) means brave, “自信” (zìxìn) means confident, and “果断” (guǒduàn) means decisive; all are antonyms or unrelated.
Which sentence best describes a person who is “胆怯”?
A person who is “胆怯” (timid/cowardly) would likely avoid speaking loudly in public. The other options describe brave, outgoing, or confident behavior.
一个胆怯的人通常很勇敢。
“胆怯” means timid or cowardly, which is the opposite of brave. Therefore, a timid person is usually not brave.
在重要的面试中表现出胆怯对成功没有影响。
Being timid or cowardly (胆怯) in an important interview can negatively impact one's chances of success, as it might convey a lack of confidence or assertiveness.
鼓励可以帮助胆怯的人克服恐惧。
Encouragement (鼓励) can indeed help timid or cowardly individuals (胆怯的人) overcome their fears, as it can boost their confidence and willingness to face challenges.
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Summary
胆怯 describes someone who is easily scared and lacks confidence.
- shy
- timid
- cowardly
Basic Meaning
胆怯 (dǎn qiè) means timid or cowardly. It describes someone who lacks courage or is easily frightened.
Usage with people
You can use 胆怯 to describe a person's personality or a specific action. For example, 他很胆怯 (Tā hěn dǎnqiè) means 'He is very timid'.
Usage with actions
It often describes a feeling or state of being. For instance, 他感到有些胆怯 (Tā gǎndào yǒuxiē dǎnqiè) means 'He felt a bit cowardly'.
Synonym: 害羞 (hàixiū)
While related, 胆怯 is stronger than 害羞 (hàixiū - shy). 害羞 implies social awkwardness, while 胆怯 implies a lack of courage or fear.
Beispiel
他因为胆怯不敢表达自己的意见。
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