Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Chicken-hearted, cowardly, timid: Describes a person who is easily frightened, lacks courage, and is afraid to take risks or face difficult situations.
   • Faint-hearted: Having a weak or fearful disposition.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy quá nhát gan để thử điều mới. (He is too chicken-hearted to try new things.)
  • Đừng nhát gan như vậy, hãy mạnh dạn lên! (Don't be so timid, be more confident!)
  • Tính nhát gan khiến cô ấy bỏ lỡ nhiều cơ hội. (Her cowardly nature causes her to miss many opportunities.)

Advanced Usage

• "nhát gan chết khiếp": An intensified phrase meaning "extremely cowardly" or "scared to death."
  • Nghe tiếng động lạ, nó nhát gan chết khiếp. (Hearing a strange noise, he was scared to death.)
• "nhát gan như thỏ đế": A simile comparing someone's timidity to a rabbit (a proverbial symbol of fear).
  • Cậu ấy nhát gan như thỏ đế, thấy bóng tối là sợ. (He is as timid as a rabbit, afraid of even the dark.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhút nhát (adj): Shy, bashful. This word focuses more on social shyness rather than a lack of courage in the face of danger.
  • Cô bé rất nhút nhát khi gặp người lạ. (The little girl is very shy when meeting strangers.)
• Hèn nhát (adj): Cowardly, base. This is a stronger, more negative term implying moral failing or despicable cowardice.
  • Hành động bỏ chạy của hắn thật hèn nhát. (His act of running away was truly cowardly.)
• Sợ sệt (adj): Fearful, apprehensive. Describes a general state of fear.
  • Cô ấy có vẻ sợ sệt khi vào phòng tối. (She seemed fearful when entering the dark room.)

Synonyms

• Yếu bóng vía: Literally "weak spirit/soul," meaning easily scared or frightened.
• Bạc nhược: Weak-willed, lacking in strength and courage.

Related Idioms

• "Nhát như cáy": As timid as a crab (that hides in its hole). Used to describe someone who is very easily frightened and quick to hide or retreat.
  • Nó nhát như cáy, chẳng dám nói lời nào. (He's as timid as a crab, doesn't dare say a word.)
• "Gan nhỏ bằng hạt tiêu": Literally "a liver as small as a peppercorn," meaning to have very little courage.
  • Với cái gan nhỏ bằng hạt tiêu, anh ta chẳng làm được gì. (With a liver as small as a peppercorn, he can't accomplish anything.)

1. Chicken-hearted, weak -hearted
   • Nhát gan không dám bơi qua sông
     To be too weak-hearted to swim across the river