1.
shyness with strangers; being uncomfortable around unfamiliar people
The tendency to feel shy, nervous, or uncomfortable when meeting new people. Common in both children and adults.
うちの子は人見知りがひどい。
Our child is very shy with strangers.
人見知りするので、パーティーが苦手だ。
I'm not good at parties because I'm shy around people I don't know.
赤ちゃんが人見知りを始めた。
The baby has started showing stranger anxiety.
WORD FORMATION:
人 (person) + 見知り (recognizing by seeing) → discomfort with unfamiliar faces
GRAMMAR PATTERNS:
- 人見知りする (verb form: to be shy with strangers)
- 人見知りが激しい / ひどい (to be very shy)
- 人見知りをする (to show shyness around strangers)
USAGE NOTE:
In Japan, 人見知り is often mentioned as a personality trait, especially when explaining social difficulties. Adults commonly use this term to describe themselves. For infants, 人見知り typically begins around 6-8 months and is considered a normal developmental stage.