LanLan

How to say “coward” in Chinese

From shy to total chicken

The mildest way to say “coward” in Chinese is 胆小 (dǎn xiǎo), “timid (lit. small gall)”. The strongest is 缩头乌龟 (suō tóu wū guī), “coward (lit. turtle pulling its head in)”. Here are all 5, ranked mild to strong, with pinyin and when to use each one.

  1. 胆小

    dǎn xiǎo

    timid (lit. small gall)

    In chinese, courage lives in your gallbladder

    Heard in real Chinese videos

  2. 怂

    sǒng

    chicken, scared

    One character, maximum shade

  3. 胆小鬼

    dǎn xiǎo guǐ

    scaredy-cat (lit. small-gall ghost)

    Teasing, between friends

  4. 怕死鬼

    pà sǐ guǐ

    chicken (lit. afraid-to-die ghost)

    Contempt. Not a joke anymore

  5. 缩头乌龟

    suō tóu wū guī

    coward (lit. turtle pulling its head in)

    The picture says it all

Quick answers

How do you say “coward” in Chinese?
The mildest way to say “coward” in Chinese is 胆小 (dǎn xiǎo), “timid (lit. small gall)”. The strongest is 缩头乌龟 (suō tóu wū guī), “coward (lit. turtle pulling its head in)”. Here are all 5, ranked mild to strong, with pinyin and when to use each one.
What is the mildest way to say “coward” in Chinese?
胆小 (dǎn xiǎo): timid (lit. small gall). In chinese, courage lives in your gallbladder.
What is the strongest way to say “coward” in Chinese?
缩头乌龟 (suō tóu wū guī): coward (lit. turtle pulling its head in). The picture says it all.

More ways to say it in Chinese

All 47 phrases: feelings, everyday, love and dating, compliments, money, slang, insults, swear words.