内気(うちき)

うちき
na-adjective, noun
shy; bashful; reserved
personality
1. shy; bashful; reserved; introverted
Describes a personality trait of being timid, reluctant to speak up, or uncomfortable in social situations.
彼女(かのじょ)は内気(うちき)な性格(せいかく)だ。
She has a shy personality.
内気(うちき)で、なかなか自分(じぶん)から話(はな)しかけられない。
I'm shy, so I have trouble starting conversations.
子供(こども)の頃(ころ)は内気(うちき)だったが、大人(おとな)になって社交的(しゃこうてき)になった。
I was shy as a child, but became sociable as an adult.

Usage

Describes a stable personality trait rather than a temporary mood. Often used with な to modify nouns.

Similar words

  • 恥(は)ずかしがり屋(や) emphasizes being easily embarrassed
  • 人見知(ひとみし)り specifically refers to shyness around strangers
  • 内気(うちき) is the most general term for an introverted, quiet personality

Common collocations

Related Words

Synonym: シャイ (shy (loanword, casual))
Synonym: 人見知(ひとみし)り (shy around strangers)
Synonym: 恥(は)ずかしがり屋(や) (easily embarrassed)
Antonym: 社交的(しゃこうてき) (sociable)
Compare: 恥(は)ずかしがり (shy person)
Related: 物怖(ものお)じ (shyness, timidity, being easily frightened)
Compare: 遠慮(えんりょ)がち (reserved)
Compare: 遠慮深(えんりょぶか)い (reserved)
Compare: 気(き)が弱(よわ)い (timid)
Compare: 内向的(ないこうてき) (introverted)
general
Added 2026.3.14 22:02 · Revised 2026.9.26 15:21
16500/16836_uchiki