Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Cowardly, lacking courage and moral strength: Describes a person who is weak-willed, easily gives up, and lacks the bravery or resolve to face difficulties, challenges, or responsibilities. It implies a contemptible lack of spirit and backbone.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Một thanh niên ươn hèn. (A cowardly young man.)
  • Thái độ ươn hèn trước khó khăn là không thể chấp nhận. (A cowardly attitude in the face of difficulty is unacceptable.)
  • Hắn ta bị coi là kẻ ươn hèn vì không dám đứng lên bảo vệ lẽ phải. (He is considered a cowardly person because he did not dare to stand up for what is right.)

Advanced Usage

• Used in literary or formal criticism: Often used to describe a character flaw, especially in contexts discussing morality, courage, or social responsibility.
  • Nhân vật phản diện trong tiểu thuyết được miêu tả là con người ươn hèn và ích kỷ. (The villain in the novel is portrayed as a cowardly and selfish person.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hèn nhát (adj): Cowardly, timid. (Focuses more on fear.)
• Nhu nhược (adj): Weak, feeble, indecisive. (Focuses on lack of strength and decisiveness.)
• Hèn mọn (adj): Petty, mean, base. (Focuses on low moral character.)

Synonyms

• Nhút nhát: Timid, shy.
• Yếu đuối: Weak, feeble.
• Khiếp nhược: Timorous, faint-hearted.

Related Idioms

• Ướn hèn như cáy: (As cowardly as a crab) – An idiom emphasizing extreme timidity or cowardice.
  • Đừng có ươn hèn như cáy, hãy mạnh dạn lên! (Don't be as cowardly as a crab, be bold!)

adj

1. cowardly