‘怯场’ (qiè chǎng) literally combines ‘怯’ (to feel timid or fearful) and ‘场’ (a venue or scene, especially a performance setting like a stage or lecture hall). Together, it refers specifically to the nervousness, anxiety, or fear people experience before or during public speaking, performing, or presenting in front of others — what English speakers call 'stage fright'. It is not about general shyness, but rather the acute, situational anxiety triggered by being the center of attention in a formal or evaluative setting.

This word is commonly used in educational, artistic, and professional contexts — for example, when describing students giving oral presentations, actors before curtain time, or job candidates facing interviews. While ‘怯’ alone can mean timidity in broader situations, adding ‘场’ narrows the meaning precisely to performance-related anxiety. The term carries a neutral-to-slightly sympathetic tone; it’s widely understood and frequently appears in psychology discussions, teaching materials, and self-help advice in Chinese.