Definition
怯 is a bound form (b.f.) meaning 'timid' or 'cowardly'. It cannot stand alone as a word; you will find it in compounds like 胆怯 (dǎnqiè, 'timid'), 怯懦 (qiènuò, 'cowardly'), and 怯场 (qièchǎng, 'stage fright'). The sense 'uncouth' appears in 怯生 (qièshēng, 'shy with strangers'). Use it to describe someone's fearful or hesitant disposition.
b.f.
(bound form) timidcowardly
Examples
- ，。Tā dì yī cì shàng tái yǎnjiǎng, xīnli yǒuxiē dǎnqiè.He felt somewhat timid when giving a speech on stage for the first time.
- 。Zhè zhǒng qiènuò de xìnggé ràng tā shīqù le hěnduō jīhuì.This cowardly personality made him miss many opportunities.
- ，。Bié qièchǎng, nǐ zhǔnbèi de hěn chōngfèn.Don't have stage fright; you are very well prepared.
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