臆病

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 臆病, read おくびょう, is a na-adjective describing a timid or cowardly disposition.
• Basic usage: It modifies a noun in 臆病な猫 and appears predicatively as 臆病だ when someone characterizes themselves.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A timid disposition, not one fearful moment
  • It describes a timid disposition, such as a cat that hides at noises or a person who sees themselves as cowardly. One fearful moment alone does not necessarily establish that trait.