Meanings of 胆小
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 胆小
Podcast: 胆小
Podcast: 胆小
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 胆小
胆怯 (dǎnqiè) - use 胆小 (dǎnxiǎo) for a more general description of timidity, while 胆怯 focuses specifically on fear in confronting situations.
Think of 胆 (dǎn) as the 'guts' of a person, representing bravery, while 小 (xiǎo) means 'small.' Imagine a small heart that quivers in fear, illustrating the essence of being timid. Together, 胆小 captures the image of someone whose courage is 'small.'
Learners often confuse 胆小 with similar expressions like 胆怯 (dǎn qiè), which also means timid but has a slightly different nuance. This term is more informal and can be used in everyday speech but should be avoided in formal contexts. Common collocations include 胆小鬼 (dǎn xiǎo guǐ) for 'coward.'
胆小 is not part of HSK vocabulary lists but is useful for learners at intermediate levels looking to express personality traits. Students should focus on its application in various scenarios and how it contrasts with words like 勇敢 (yǒng gǎn), meaning brave.
In Chinese culture, being labeled as 胆小 may carry a negative connotation, often suggesting a lack of ambition or drive, which is viewed unfavorably in competitive contexts. This reflects the cultural value placed on courage and perseverance.
Learners sometimes confuse 胆小 with the more neutral term 小心 (xiǎo xīn), which means 'careful.' For example, saying '他很小心' (tā hěn xiǎo xīn) to imply he is timid is incorrect; use 胆小 instead.
Pronunciation of 胆小
Drill the tone of 胆小 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Component Characters
Write 胆小
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 胆小 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Cultural Notes for 胆小
在中国文化中，胆小通常与内向和谨慎的性格特征相关。胆小的人可能不愿意冒险，这在某些情况下被视为一种优点，因为他们更能避免潜在的危险。
In Chinese culture, being labeled as 胆小 may carry a negative connotation, often suggesting a lack of ambition or drive, which is viewed unfavorably in competitive contexts. This reflects the cultural value placed on courage and perseverance.
中国有句俗语，‘胆小如鼠’，用来形容非常害怕和胆怯的人。这表达了对胆小行为的否定态度。
In Western cultures, while being timid can also be viewed negatively, there may be more acceptance of vulnerability and self-doubt compared to the often harsher judgment in Chinese contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions about 胆小
Synonyms for 胆小 include '害怕' (hài pà), meaning 'afraid', and '懦弱' (nuò ruò), meaning 'weak'. These words also convey similar ideas of fearfulness and lack of courage.