気恥(きは)ずかしい

きはずかしい
i-adjective
bashful; slightly embarrassed; self-conscious
descriptive
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Present気恥(きは)ずかしい気恥(きは)ずかしくない
Past気恥(きは)ずかしかった気恥(きは)ずかしくなかった
て form気恥(きは)ずかしくて気恥(きは)ずかしくなくて
Adverbial気恥(きは)ずかしく—
Conditional ば気恥(きは)ずかしければ気恥(きは)ずかしくなければ
Conditional たら気恥(きは)ずかしかったら気恥(きは)ずかしくなかったら
1. somewhat embarrassed; self-conscious
A milder form of embarrassment, feeling slightly awkward or bashful about something without deep shame.
気恥(きは)ずかしそうに頭(あたま)を掻(か)いた。
He scratched his head bashfully.
愛(あい)してるなんて言(い)うのは気恥(きは)ずかしい。
It's embarrassing to say 'I love you.'
手(て)をつなぐのは気恥(きは)ずかしかった。
I felt self-conscious holding hands.

Etymology: 気(き) (feeling) + 恥(は)ずかしい (embarrassed), suggesting embarrassment as a feeling rather than from actual shame.

Nuance: Lighter than 恥(は)ずかしい:

  • About self-consciousness, not shame
  • Often related to romantic or emotional situations
  • No moral judgment implied
  • Common in descriptions of modest or shy behavior

Difference from similar words

Common situations

  • Expressing romantic feelings
  • Receiving compliments
  • Being the center of attention
  • Public displays of emotion

Grammatical forms

  • 気恥(きは)ずかしく (adverbial)
  • 気恥(きは)ずかしさ (noun form)
  • 気恥(きは)ずかしそう (seems embarrassed)

Related Words

Synonym: てれくさい (embarrassing)
Related: 恥(は)ずかしい (embarrassed)
general
Added 2026.1.19 8:54 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
07000/07135_kihazukashii