cowardly
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cowardly
Describes a person who, out of fear of danger, pain, or inconvenience, does not dare to do what is right or necessary.
Es war feige von ihm, nicht für seinen Freund einzustehen.
It was cowardly of him not to stand up for his friend.
cowardly
Describes an action that is carried out treacherously and without open confrontation because the person acting avoids direct conflict.
Der feige Anschlag wurde mitten in der Nacht verübt.
The cowardly attack was carried out in the middle of the night.
To say that a person's action is cowardly, you often use the construction 'Es ist feige von' (It is cowardly of) + dative. This names the person whose behavior is being evaluated.
Es ist feige von dir, einfach wegzulaufen.
It is cowardly of you to simply run away.
Whether 'feige' (cowardly) describes a person (meaning 1) or an action (meaning 2) can be recognized from the noun. If it appears with words like 'Mensch' (person), it is about character. If it appears with 'Tat' (act) or 'Anschlag' (attack), it is about the action.
Er ist kein Held, aber auch kein feiger Mensch.
He is not a hero, but he is not a cowardly person either.
When an action is described as treacherous, 'feige' (cowardly) often appears before nouns such as 'Anschlag' (attack), 'Angriff' (attack), or 'Tat' (act). These combinations have a very strong negative meaning.
Die Polizei verurteilte den feigen Angriff auf die Rettungskräfte.
The police condemned the cowardly attack on the rescue workers.
anxious / fearful
Both words can describe a person who avoids a difficult action out of fear. „Ängstlich“ mainly describes the fear being felt, while „feige“ also expresses a clear moral judgment about the lack of courage. „Ängstlich“ is appropriate when observing fear, while „feige“ is more appropriate when condemning the behavior.
Es war feige, dass Tom aus Angst vor der Aussprache zu Hause blieb.
It was cowardly of Tom to stay home because he was afraid of the discussion.
Tom blieb aus Angst vor der Aussprache ängstlich zu Hause.
Afraid of the discussion, Tom anxiously stayed home.
