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Japanese · Insults

弱虫

yowamushi

yo-wah-MOO-shee · /jowamɯ̥ɕi/

Coward / wimp / chicken

2/5 Bar-safe

coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances

Literally

"weak bug"

Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.

How to use it

"Weak-bug" — a childhood-flavored taunt for a coward, the schoolyard "chicken." A bit old-fashioned and cute, more likely from a kid or in a shōnen sports manga than from an angry adult. The blunter adult version is just "yowai" (weak) or "iji-nashi" (no guts).

Heard in the wild

飛び込めないの?弱虫だなあ。

You can't jump in? What a chicken.

Where it lands

Nationwide; childhood/sports register

Quick answers

What does "弱虫" mean?
In Japanese, "弱虫" means "Coward / wimp / chicken". Literally it's "weak bug". "Weak-bug" — a childhood-flavored taunt for a coward, the schoolyard "chicken." A bit old-fashioned and cute, more likely from a kid or in a shōnen sports manga than from an angry adult. The blunter adult version is just "yowai" (weak) or "iji-nashi" (no guts).
Is "弱虫" offensive?
It's on the mild end — 2/5 (Bar-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances.
How do you pronounce "弱虫"?
Say it "yo-wah-MOO-shee" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: jowamɯ̥ɕi.

Related in Japanese

ばか baka BAH-kah Idiot / dummy / stupid あほ aho AH-ho Idiot / dummy (Kansai flavor — often affectionate) 馬鹿野郎 baka-yarō BAH-kah yah-ROH You stupid bastard / you goddamn idiot クソ野郎 kuso-yarō KOO-so yah-ROH Piece of shit / shitty bastard この野郎 kono-yarō KO-no yah-ROH Why you...! / you little...! ブス busu BOO-soo Ugly woman / dog

The same idea, elsewhere

Via concepts like "Coward".

how to say "Coward" →

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