Chinese word

内向

Pronunciation

Pinyinnèi xiàng

Meaning

  • adjectiveintroverted

Example

内向的人不太爱在聚会上说话。nèi xiàng de rén bú tài ài zài jù huì shàng shuō huà

Introverted people do not talk much at parties.

Illustration for 内向 (introverted)

More examples

小时候他很内向，不太愿意和陌生人说话。xiǎo shí hòu tā hěn nèi xiàng bú tài yuàn yì hé mò shēng rén shuō huà

When he was young, he was very introverted and did not really want to talk to strangers.

Core concept

A personality that keeps attention and expression turned inward, favoring quiet settings or familiar company.

Common phrases

  • 内向的人nèi xiàng de rén

    introverted people

  • 有点内向yóu diǎn nèi xiàng

    somewhat introverted

  • 内向的性格nèi xiàng de xìng gé

    introverted personality

Similar words

内敛nèi liǎn: A calm, restrained manner that rarely shows feelings or thoughts openly.
腼腆mián tiǎn: A shy, bashful manner that makes a person hesitant around others.
害羞hài xiū: A brief embarrassed reaction that can bring blushing or sudden silence.
孤僻gū pì: A personality that prefers being alone, avoids others, and seems hard to approach.

Definition in Chinese

偏好独处或小范围交流，不习惯在大型聚会或陌生人面前主动表达自己。piān hào dú chǔ huò xiǎo fàn wéi jiāo liú bù xí guàn zài dà xíng jù huì huò mò shēng rén miàn qián zhǔ dòng biǎo dá zì jǐ

Word origin

内向 (nèixiàng, "introverted") combines 内 (nèi, "inside") + 向 (xiàng, "turn toward"), forming the image of a personality oriented inward rather than toward constant outward expression.

Usage tips

  • The word describes a personality tendency rather than a complete lack of social ability, so a quiet person may still speak actively in a familiar group.

Other meanings

  • shynoun
  • reservednoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 内向者nèi xiàng zhěintrovertnoun
  • 内向性nèi xiàng xìngintroversionnoun

Word lists with this word