1.
somewhat embarrassed; self-conscious
A milder form of embarrassment, feeling slightly awkward or bashful about something without deep shame.
気恥ずかしそうに頭を掻いた。
He scratched his head bashfully.
愛してるなんて言うのは気恥ずかしい。
It's embarrassing to say 'I love you.'
手をつなぐのは気恥ずかしかった。
I felt self-conscious holding hands.
ETYMOLOGY: 気 (feeling) + 恥ずかしい (embarrassed), suggesting embarrassment as a feeling rather than from actual shame.
NUANCE: Lighter than 恥ずかしい:
- 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:
- 恥ずかしい: can imply shame or wrongdoing
- てれくさい: specifically about being praised/attention
- 気恥ずかしい: general mild self-consciousness
COMMON SITUATIONS:
- Expressing romantic feelings
- Receiving compliments
- Being the center of attention
- Public displays of emotion
GRAMMATICAL FORMS:
- 気恥ずかしく (adverbial)
- 気恥ずかしさ (noun form)
- 気恥ずかしそう (seems embarrassed)