卑怯

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 卑怯(ひきょう) is a na-adjective condemning something as cowardly or dishonorable.
• Basic usage: It evaluates conduct such as shifting one's blame onto someone else or cheating when an opponent is not looking.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Different emphasis from 臆病
  • 臆病(おくびょう) focuses on a tendency to be fearful. 卑怯 also strongly condemns avoiding responsibility or acting unfairly, rather than referring only to fear.