てれくさい

てれくさい
i-adjective
embarrassing; bashful; awkward
descriptive
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Presentてれくさいてれくさくない
Pastてれくさかったてれくさくなかった
て formてれくさくててれくさくなくて
Adverbialてれくさく—
Conditional ばてれくさければてれくさくなければ
Conditional たらてれくさかったらてれくさくなかったら
1. embarrassing; making one feel shy or awkward
Describes a feeling of self-consciousness or embarrassment, especially when receiving praise or attention.
褒(ほ)められるとてれくさい。
It's embarrassing when I'm praised.
人前(ひとまえ)で歌(うた)うのはてれくさい。
It's embarrassing to sing in front of people.
てれくさそうに笑(わら)った。
She smiled bashfully.
昔(むかし)の写真(しゃしん)を見(み)るのはてれくさい。
It's embarrassing to look at old photos of myself.

Etymology: From 照(て)れる (to feel embarrassed/shy) + 臭(くさ)い (suffix meaning 'seeming like').

Nuance: A milder, more positive embarrassment than 恥(は)ずかしい:

  • Not about shame or wrongdoing
  • Often involves modesty when praised
  • Can have a cute or endearing quality

Common situations

  • Being complimented
  • Public displays of affection
  • Performing in front of others
  • Seeing embarrassing photos or videos of oneself
  • Expressing feelings openly

Similar words

Grammatical forms

  • てれくさく (adverbial)
  • てれくささ (noun form)

Related Words

Synonym: 気恥(きは)ずかしい (bashful)
Related: 恥(は)ずかしい (embarrassed (stronger))
Compare: 照(て)れる (to feel shy/embarrassed)
general
Added 2026.1.19 8:54 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
07000/07134_terekusai