Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing shyness involves describing personality traits, temporary feelings, or behaviors. The most common way is using 恥ずかしがり屋 (a shy person) or 恥ずかしい (feeling embarrassed/shy). Note that 恥ずかしい often overlaps with 'embarrassed', so context matters.
To say someone is shy by nature, often used for people who are timid or reserved.
A noun meaning 'a shy person'. Use with です/だ to describe someone's personality.
彼は恥ずかしがり屋です。
He is shy.
私は子供の頃、恥ずかしがり屋でした。
I was shy as a child.
A na-adjective meaning 'shy, bashful, timid'. Slightly more formal/literary than 恥ずかしがり屋.
彼女は内気な性格です。
She has a shy personality.
A noun/suru-verb meaning 'shy around strangers'. Specifically refers to wariness of unfamiliar people.
うちの子は人見知りが激しい。
Our child is very shy around strangers.
Loanword from English 'shy'. Used in casual contexts, often for a cute or slightly fashionable nuance.
あの子、ちょっとシャイだよね。
That kid is a bit shy, isn't he?
To express that you feel shy/embarrassed right now, often due to attention or a situation.
An i-adjective meaning 'embarrassed, shy, ashamed'. Covers both shyness and embarrassment. Use for temporary feelings.
人前で話すのは恥ずかしい。
I feel shy speaking in front of people.
褒められて恥ずかしかった。
I felt shy when I was praised.
A verb meaning 'to feel shy/embarrassed' in a bashful, often pleased way. Common in casual speech.
Verb meaning 'to act shy' or 'to be shy (about something)'. Describes visible shy behavior.
To express hesitation or reluctance due to shyness.
Pattern meaning 'too shy/embarrassed to do ~'. Connect with te-form of verb.
恥ずかしくて言えなかった。
I was too shy to say it.
恥ずかしくて顔が見られない。
I'm too shy to look at their face.
Similar to above but with 照れくさい (bashful, awkwardly shy). More casual.
照れくさくて何も言えなかった。
I was too shy/awkward to say anything.
To describe shyness in a positive, often affectionate way.
Phrase meaning 'shy and cute'. Often used to compliment someone's bashfulness.
彼女は恥ずかしがり屋で可愛い。
She's shy and cute.
Onomatopoeic verb meaning 'to be shy and fidgety', often used for someone who can't speak up due to shyness.
彼はもじもじしていて、なかなか話し出さない。
He's all shy and fidgety, and won't start talking.
恥ずかしい is a general adjective for feeling embarrassed or shy, and can be used in formal contexts. 照れる is a verb that implies a bashful, often happy embarrassment, and is more casual. Use 照れる when you're shy but pleased, like receiving a compliment.
恥ずかしい can also mean 'ashamed' for serious mistakes. Context distinguishes shyness from shame. For deep shame, 恥じる (はじる) or 羞じる (はじる) may be used, but they are more literary.
I get shy when you praise me so much.
彼はいつも恥ずかしがって話さない。
He's always too shy to talk.