シャイ

しゃい
na-adjective
shy
informaldescriptive
1. shy, timid
Feeling nervous or uncomfortable around others, especially in unfamiliar social situations. A loanword used as a na-adjective.
彼(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)から話(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)はシャイな人(ひと)が多(おお)いと言(い)われている。
It is said that many Japanese people are shy.

Etymology

From English "shy."

Similar words

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

Related Words

Synonym: 内気(うちき) (introverted, shy (personality))
Synonym: 恥(は)ずかしがり屋(や) (shy person (native word))
Compare: 人見知(ひとみし)り (shy around strangers)
general
Added 2026.2.12 16:08 · Revised 2026.10.13 3:57
11000/11004_shai