timidity · mind

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 臆 is read おく, has 17 strokes, and relates to timidity and speculation.
• Basic usage: 臆病 is read おくびょう, and 臆測 is read おくそく.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 臆病 and 臆測
  • 臆病 means cowardly or timid.
  • 臆病な猫は物音を聞くと棚の下へ逃げる。 means “The timid cat hides under the shelf whenever it hears a noise.”
  • 臆測 means speculation or groundless guess.
  • 証拠のない臆測だけで人を責めてはいけない。 means “You should not criticize someone based only on groundless speculation.”