não ter coragem

You usually follow it with the word de and a verb. For example, Não tenho coragem de pular. It’s very flexible with tenses. You can say não tive coragem (I didn't have the guts) or não teria coragem (I wouldn't have the guts). It’s as common as drinking coffee in Brazil.

Use it when discussing fears or social hesitations. Use it at a restaurant when you're too shy to send back wrong food. Use it with friends when debating a roller coaster. It works perfectly for those 'I'm too embarrassed' moments too. It’s a very honest, relatable expression.

Avoid it in high-stakes professional settings if you want to sound decisive. Saying não tenho coragem in a board meeting might make you look weak. In those cases, use não me sinto confortável. Also, don't use it for simple physical inability. If you can't lift a box, that's força, not coragem.

Brazilians are generally very expressive about their feelings. Admitting you're 'sem coragem' isn't always seen as a major flaw. It’s often used as a humorous way to bond over shared anxieties. There is a certain cultural 'honesty' in admitting your nerves. It makes you feel more human and approachable to others.

You might hear people say me falta coragem (I lack courage). In slang, someone might say não tenho peito (I don't have the chest/bravery). Another common one is dar um frio na barriga. But não ter coragem remains the king of simplicity. It’s the bread and butter of expressing hesitation.