照(て)れ屋(や)

てれや
noun
shy person; easily embarrassed person
1. shy person; easily embarrassed person; someone who gets flustered easily
A person who is easily embarrassed or gets flustered, especially when praised or put in the spotlight. Often used affectionately to describe this trait.
彼(かれ)は照(て)れ屋(や)だ。
He's the shy type.
照(て)れ屋(や)なので褒(ほ)められると顔(かお)が赤(あか)くなる。
I'm easily embarrassed, so my face turns red when I'm praised.
うちの息子(むすこ)は照(て)れ屋(や)で、人前(ひとまえ)で話(はな)すのが苦手(にがて)だ。
My son is shy and not good at speaking in front of others.

照(て)れ屋(や) describes someone who gets embarrassed easily, especially when praised or put in the spotlight. It has a warm, endearing connotation — not a negative trait.

ETYMOLOGY:
From 照(て)れる (to be embarrassed, to feel shy) + 屋(や) (suffix for a person with a characteristic trait).

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 照(て)れ屋(や)だ (to be the shy type)
  • 照(て)れ屋(や)なので〜 (because I'm easily embarrassed, ~)
  • 照(て)れ屋(や)な性格(せいかく) (a shy personality)

SIMILAR 屋(や)/坊(ぼう) PERSONALITY WORDS:

  • 恥(は)ずかしがり屋(や): shy person (general shyness)
  • 寂(さび)しがり屋(や): person who gets lonely easily
  • 甘(あま)えん坊(ぼう): clingy/spoiled person
  • 怒(おこ)りん坊(ぼう): hot-tempered person

NUANCE:
Unlike 恥(は)ずかしがり屋(や) which implies broader social shyness, 照(て)れ屋(や) specifically describes someone who gets flustered by praise or attention.

general
Added 2026.3.22 13:42 · Revised 2026.4.7 11:46
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