Usage note
害羞用来形容人因为紧张或不自信而表现出的羞涩和腼腆。
xiàohǎo lái yòng láizhēng rén yīnwèi jǐngzhàng huò bù xìngzhì ér biǎoxìnlù de xiàoshè hé miányì.
害羞 is used to describe people who show shyness and bashfulness due to nervousness or lack of confidence.
Context note
害羞常用于描述人在社交场合、初次见面或遇到喜欢的人时的表现。
xiàoshèng cháng yòng láizhēng míngzài jiāojiāo chǎnghé, chūcì miànbiàn huò dào yù xiàngde rén shí de biǎoxiàn.
害羞 is commonly used to describe how people behave in social situations, when meeting someone for the first time, or when encountering someone they like.
5 examples
他很害羞，不敢在众人面前说话。
tā hěn hài xiū， bù gǎn zài zhòng rén miàn qián shuō huà。
He is very shy and doesn't dare to speak in front of many people.
她害羞地笑了。
tā hài xiū dì xiào le。
She smiled bashfully.
害羞的人通常会脸红。
hài xiū de rén tōng cháng huì liǎn hóng。
Shy people usually turn red in the face.
他很害羞，但并不影响他的工作能力。
tā hěn hài xiū， dàn bìng bù yǐng xiǎng tā de gōng zuò néng lì。
He is very shy, but it doesn't affect his work ability.
害羞的孩子通常会躲在父母身后。
hài xiū de hái zi tōng cháng huì duǒ zài fù mǔ shēn hòu。
Shy children usually hide behind their parents.
5 mini stories
小明第一次参加聚会，他很害羞。
xiǎo míng dì yī cì cān jiā jù huì， tā hěn hài xiū。
Xiaoming's first party, he was very shy.
妈妈带小红去公园玩，她害羞地笑了。
mā ma dài xiǎo hóng qù gōng yuán wán， tā hài xiū dì xiào le。
Mom took Xiaohong to the park to play, she smiled bashfully.
小华在课堂上回答问题时很害羞。
xiǎo huá zài kè táng shàng huí dá wèn tí shí hěn hài xiū。
Xiaohua was very shy when answering questions in class.
小丽在朋友面前很害羞，但在家里却很开朗。
xiǎo lì zài péng yǒu miàn qián hěn hài xiū， dàn zài jiā lǐ què hěn kāi lǎng。
Xiaoli was very shy in front of friends, but she is quite outgoing at home.
小强在公共场合不太害羞。
xiǎo qiáng zài gōng gòng chǎng hé bú tài hài xiū。
Xiaqiang was not very shy in public places.
Mini dialogue
新同学害羞
A
那个新同学怎么不说话？
Nàge xīn tóngxué zěnme bù shuōhuà?
Why doesn't that new classmate talk?
B
他有点害羞，我们主动去打招呼吧。
Tā yǒudiǎn hàixiū, wǒmen zhǔdòng qù dǎ zhāohu ba.
He's a bit shy, let's go say hello first.
上台表演
A
轮到你唱歌了，快上去吧。
Lún dào nǐ chànggē le, kuài shàngqù ba.
It's your turn to sing, go on up.
B
我有点害羞，这么多人看着我。
Wǒ yǒudiǎn hàixiū, zhème duō rén kànzhe wǒ.
I'm a bit shy, so many people are looking at me.
Related words and contrasts
similar
不好意思
bù hǎoyìsi
embarrassed, shy, sorry
Commonly used to express mild shyness or embarrassment.
similar
腼腆
miǎntiǎn
shy, bashful (often describing personality)
Describes a naturally shy or timid personality.
opposite
大方
dàfang
confident, poised, generous
Antonym; describes someone who is outgoing and not shy.