遠慮(えんりょ)がち

えんりょがち
na-adjective
reserved; diffident; hesitant
descriptiveemotion
1. reserved; diffident; hesitant; timid
Describes a person or manner that tends to hold back, be restrained, or avoid imposing on others. Conveys a habitual tendency toward reserve rather than a single instance.
彼(かれ)は遠慮(えんりょ)がちに手(て)を挙(あ)げた。
He raised his hand hesitantly.
新入社員(しんにゅうしゃいん)は遠慮(えんりょ)がちな態度(たいど)で会議(かいぎ)に出席(しゅっせき)していた。
The new employee attended the meeting with a reserved attitude.
遠慮(えんりょ)がちな性格(せいかく)のせいで、自分(じぶん)の意見(いけん)をなかなか言(い)えないことがある。
Because of my reserved personality, I sometimes have trouble speaking up with my own opinions.

Usage

The suffix がち indicates a tendency or inclination. Can be used as a な-adjective (遠慮(えんりょ)がちな人(ひと)) or adverbially (遠慮(えんりょ)がちに). The がち suffix attaches to many other words to express habitual tendencies, such as 病気(びょうき)がち (sickly) and 怠(なま)けがち (tending to be lazy).

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 控(ひか)えめ: modest, restrained — suggests deliberate restraint, often seen as a positive trait
  • 内気(うちき): shy, introverted — describes an inherent personality trait rather than a behavioral tendency

Related Words

Related: 遠慮(えんりょ) (reserve, restraint (base word))
Synonym: 控(ひか)えめ (modest, restrained)
Compare: 内気(うちき) (shy, introverted)
Related: 控(ひか)え目(め) (modest, restrained, reserved)
general
Added 2026.3.20 21:15 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
18000/18202_enryogachi