Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Bashful, shy: Describes a person who feels easily embarrassed, self-conscious, or timid, often showing this through blushing, avoiding eye contact, or hesitant behavior.
   • Self-conscious: Feeling undue awareness of oneself, leading to awkwardness or reticence in social situations.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô ấy trả lời một cách bẽn lẽn. (She answered in a bashful manner.)
  • Đứa trẻ bẽn lẽn núp sau lưng mẹ. (The shy child hid behind their mother's back.)
  • Anh chàng có nụ cười bẽn lẽn. (The young man had a shy smile.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often describes a charming, innocent, or endearing type of shyness, particularly associated with youth or new experiences.
• It can imply a temporary state of timidity due to a specific situation, rather than a permanent personality trait.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngượng ngùng (adj): Embarrassed, abashed. Often used interchangeably but can imply a more situational awkwardness.
• Rụt rè (adj): Timid, hesitant. Focuses more on reluctance and caution.
• Thẹn thùng (adj): Shy, demure. Similar to but can suggest a coy or modest shyness.

Synonyms

• Shy: Being reserved or having nervousness in company.
• Bashful: Reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy.
• Diffident: Modest or shy due to a lack of self-confidence.
• Timid: Showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened.

Related Idioms and Expressions

• Bẽn lẽn như gái mới về nhà chồng: (Shy like a new bride at her in-laws' house). An idiom used to describe someone who is extremely shy, timid, or ill-at-ease in a new environment or situation.
  • Lần đầu lên diễn đàn, cậu ấy bẽn lẽn như gái mới về nhà chồng. (The first time he spoke at the forum, he was as shy as a new bride at her in-laws.)

adj

1. Bashful, self-conscious, shy
   • bẽn lẽn như gái mới về nhà chồng
     shy like a new bride at her in-laws