Definitions

qiè (adjective) timid; cowardly
què (adjective) timid; cowardly

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

怯 is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic radical 忄, a variant of 心, indicates the meaning relates to emotions or mental states, while the right side 去 provides the pronunciation. The character primarily conveys the sense of fear, timidity, or a lack of courage. It is commonly used to describe someone who is easily frightened, nervous in social situations, or behaves cowardly when facing challenges.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

不要胆,大声说出来。

Bùyào dǎnqiè, dàshēng shuō chūlái.

Don't be timid, say it out loud.

他第一次上台有点场。

Tā dì yī cì shàngtái yǒudiǎn qièchǎng.

He felt a bit of stage fright the first time he went on stage.

面对困难时我们不能懦。

Miànduì kùnnán shí wǒmen bùnéng qiènuò.

We cannot be cowardly when facing difficulties.

生生地看着陌生人。

Tā qièshēngshēng de kànzhe mòshēngrén.

She looked at the stranger timidly.

他的眼神里流露出一丝意。

Tā de yǎnshén li liúlù chū yīsī qiè yì.

A trace of timidity showed in his eyes.

内心的弱阻碍了他前进。

Nèixīn de qièruò zǔ'àile tā qiánjìn.

The weakness in his heart hindered his progress.

她试图用微笑掩饰自己的

Tā shìtú yòng wēixiào yǎnshì zìjǐ de qiè.

She tried to hide her timidity with a smile.

真正的勇敢不是从不惧,而是战胜了惧。

Zhēnzhèng de yǒnggǎn bùshì cóng bù qièjù, érshì zhànshèngle qièjù.

True bravery is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.