Fraidy cat Meaning in English
expression
ˈfreɪdi/ /ˈkæt
FRAY-dee kat
ˈfreɪdi/ /kˈæt
FRAY-dee KAT
Definition
A 'fraidy cat' is an informal and playful way to call someone who gets scared easily or is acting afraid.
Usage & Nuances
Mainly used by children or when joking. It’s lightly teasing, not very rude, but can sound childish if used between adults. Often appears as "Don't be such a fraidy cat!" or "What a fraidy cat!" Not used formally.
Spanish: miedoso - cobardePortuguese (BR): medroso - covardePortuguese (PT): medricas - medrosoChinese (Simplified): 胆小鬼Chinese (Traditional): 膽小鬼Hindi: डरपोकArabic: جبانBengali: ভীতু - ভয়ু (কৌতুকপূর্ণ)Russian: трусишка - трус (шуточно)Japanese: 怖がりさん - 臆病者 (からかい/子供向け)Vietnamese: nhát gan - nhát cáy (trêu đùa)Korean: 겁쟁이 - 쫄보 (장난스럽게)Turkish: korkak (şakayla) - ödlek (çocuksu)Urdu: ڈرپوک (مذاق میں) - بزدل (مزاحیہ انداز میں)Indonesian: penakut (bercanda) - pengecut (guyonan)
Example Sentences
Don't be such a fraidy cat!
basic
He won't watch scary movies because he's a fraidy cat.
basic
My little sister is a fraidy cat about thunderstorms.
basic
Come on, don’t be a fraidy cat—it’s just a roller coaster!
natural
You’re such a fraidy cat when it comes to spiders.
natural
I used to be a fraidy cat, but now I love scary stories.
natural