Was ist der Unterschied zwischen "timid" und "coward" ? (2024)

• Englisch (US)

Timid is a descriptor. “He is a timid person”.

Coward is a noun. “He is a coward”.

You can use cowardly as a descriptor. “He is a cowardly person”

If someone is a coward, it implies fear. They are afraid to take action.

If someone is timid, they may be afraid, but it can also mean shy, quiet, reserved.

• Japanisch

@iksonad Ahh, I see. Thanks so much as always.🐿️
Judging by your explanation, "coward" conveys a nuance of 怖(こわ)がり, conversely "timid" gives a nuance of 恥(は)ずかしがり or 控(ひか)えめ. This is just my impression.🤔

• Englisch (US)

Coward is like 怖がり, yes.

Timid can similar to はずかしい. I think 恥ずかしがり would be “a timid person”.

It’s a small difference, but to me, a coward is ALWAYS somebody who is afraid to act. Timid MIGHT describe somebody who is afraid to ask, but they might also be shy, or meek, or unassuming.

The opposite of cowardly is courageous.

The opposite of timid might be courageous, or bold, or outgoing, or loud. Timid is a word with more nuanced meaning

• Englisch (US)

I made some typos and it won’t let me edit them.

I should have said “timid can be similar”

“Afraid to ask” should be “afraid to act”

• Englisch (US)

I agree with everything @iksonad said. I would just add that "coward"/"cowardly"/etc also always has a strong negative or derogatory feeling. It implies that someone is a bad person, and unworthy of respect, because they are afraid when they should be brave instead.

"Timid" is not necessarily derogatory. Being timid is usually not desirable, but it does not necessarily mean that somebody is a bad person just because they are timid.

• Japanisch

@iksonad Ahh, don't worry! Thanks for the follow-up.
I really appreciate you clearing everything up with good examples😸. Big thanks!!(⁠ᵔ⁠ᴥ⁠ᵔ⁠)

• Japanisch

@Foogod Thank you for making so much effort to explain the nuances.U⁠^⁠ｪ⁠^⁠U
I got a much better understanding!🐕