怯

qiè

去 + 忄

Frequency#2488

Definitions

qiè (adjective) timid; cowardly

què (adjective) timid; cowardly

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 去 represents the sound.

Semantic: 忄 Phonetic: 去

About

The character "怯" is structurally composed of the heart radical "忄" and the component "去", which means to go or depart, etymologically implying a heart that seeks to withdraw due to fear. Its meaning has consistently centered on cowardice, timidity, or a lack of courage, with historical usage in classical texts reinforcing this sense of psychological apprehension or retreat.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

不要胆怯，大声说出来。

Bùyào dǎnqiè, dàshēng shuō chūlái.

Don't be timid, say it out loud.

他第一次上台有点怯场。

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怯懦。

Miànduì kùnnán shí wǒmen bùnéng qiènuò.

We cannot be cowardly when facing difficulties.

她怯生生地看着陌生人。

Tā qièshēngshēng de kànzhe mòshēngrén.

She looked at the stranger timidly.

他的眼神里流露出一丝怯意。

Tā de yǎnshén li liúlù chū yīsī qiè yì.

A trace of timidity showed in his eyes.

内心的怯弱阻碍了他前进。

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怯。

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怯惧，而是战胜了怯惧。

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

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

Related Characters

Component: 去

Component: 忄

怯