シャイ

しゃい
na-adjective
shy
1. shy, timid
Feeling nervous or uncomfortable around others, especially in unfamiliar social situations. A loanword used as a na-adjective.
(かれ)はシャイな性格(せいかく)だ。
He has a shy personality.
シャイで自分(じぶん)から(はな)しかけられない。
I'm too shy to start conversations myself.
日本人(にほんじん)はシャイな(ひと)(おお)いと()われている。
It is said that many Japanese people are shy.

シャイ is a loanword from English "shy."

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • ()ずかしがり(): a shy person (native Japanese word, refers to the person themselves)
  • 内気(うちき): introverted, shy (more about personality disposition)
  • 人見知(ひとみし)り: shy around strangers (especially used for children)

シャイ is used casually in conversation. In more formal writing, 内気(うちき) or ()ずかしがり() would be more natural.