在英语中，胆小可以用 "timid" 或 "shy" 这两个词来表示。

Timid 来源于拉丁语 "timidus"，有 "害羞的"、"胆小的" 的意思。

例如：

She is a timid person, who is easily scared.

The timid rabbit ran away from the fox.

Shy 来源于古英语 "sceoh"，有 "害羞的"、"羞怯的" 的意思。

例如：

He is a shy boy, who doesn't like to talk to strangers.

She was too shy to ask for help.