Chinese word

羞涩

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiū sè

Meaning

  • adjectiveshy

Example

她听到夸奖，脸有点羞涩。tā tīng dào kuā jiǎng liǎn yóu diǎn xiū sè

She looks a little bashful when she hears the compliment.

Illustration for 羞涩 (shy)

More examples

他第一次上台发言时显得很羞涩。tā dì yí cì shàng tái fā yán shí xiǎn de hěn xiū sè

He seemed very shy when he spoke on stage for the first time.

Core concept

Attention makes a person hold back, with words, facial expression, or movement becoming slightly awkward.

Common phrases

  • 脸上有点羞涩liǎn shàng yóu diǎn xiū sè

    look a little shy

  • 在公众场合显得羞涩zài gōng zhòng chǎng hé xiǎn de xiū sè

    seem shy in public

  • 与人交谈时显得羞涩yǔ rén jiāo tán shí xiǎn de xiū sè

    seem shy when talking with others

Similar words

不好意思bù hǎo yì si: Feeling a little embarrassed or sorry out of politeness or consideration.
害羞hài xiū: Being shy by nature and easily embarrassed around other people.
尴尬gān gà: Feeling awkward because a situation becomes uncomfortable and leaves no clear way to act.

Definition in Chinese

因害羞或不好意思而显得腼腆，常在讲话或被关注时露出局促的表情或动作。yīn hài xiū huò bù hǎo yì si ér xiǎn de mián tiǎn cháng zài jiǎng huà huò bèi guān zhù shí lù chū jú cù de biǎo qíng huò dòng zuò

Word origin

羞 (xiū, "shame") names the embarrassed feeling, while 涩 (sè, "astringent") contributes the idea of something that does not flow smoothly, forming a picture of awkwardly restrained behavior.

Usage tips

  • The word often describes a passing response to praise or attention, so it need not label a person's whole personality.

Other meanings

  • coyadjective
  • reservedadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 羞涩感xiū sè gǎnsense of shynessnoun

Word lists with this word