Japanese word

照れくさい

Pronunciation

Romajiterekusai

Meaning

  • i-adjectiveembarrassing

Example

みんなの前で歌うのは照れくさいです。mi n na no mae de uta u no wa te re ku sa i de su

Singing in front of everyone is embarrassing.

Illustration for 照れくさい (embarrassing)

More examples

家族に手紙を書くのは照れくさいですが、大切です。ka zoku ni te gami o ka ku no wa te re ku sa i de su ga tai setsu de su

Writing a letter to my family is embarrassing, but it is important.

Core concept

Refers to the uneasy self-awareness that comes from being noticed, praised, or emotionally exposed.

Common phrases

  • 照れくさい質問te re ku sa i shitsu mon

    an embarrassing question

  • 照れくさくなるte re ku sa ku na ru

    become embarrassed

Similar words

恥ずかしいhazukashii: Feeling ashamed or self-conscious because of attention, a mistake, or personal exposure.
気恥ずかしいkihazukashii: Feeling shy because praise, affection, or gratitude is openly expressed.

Definition in Japanese

人に見られたり褒められたりして、恥ずかしく感じるさま。hito ni mi ra re ta ri ho me ra re ta ri shi te ha zu ka shi ku kan ji ru sa ma

Word origin

The word is formed from 照れる (tereru, "to feel shy") and the suffix くさい (kusai, "strongly suggestive of"), giving the sense of being full of shyness.

Usage tips

  • 照れくさい (terekusai) often applies to openly expressing affection or gratitude, which makes the word useful for describing shy reactions to friendly exchanges.

Other meanings

  • awkwardi-adjective

Opposites

  • 誇らしいhokorashiiproudi-adjective

Related words

  • 照れくさがるterekusagaruact embarrassedverb
  • 照れくささterekusasaembarrassmentnoun

Word lists with this word