낯을 가려요
Nacheul garyeoyo
In Korean, "I am shy" is translated as 낯을 가려요 (Nacheul garyeoyo).
The phrase 낯을 가려요 is specifically used to describe feeling uncomfortable or reserved when meeting new people or strangers, rather than describing a general personality trait of being timid.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "to screen or avoid faces." In this expression, 낯 means "face" and 가리다 means "to screen or hide."
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite form is 낯을 가려요, while the informal version of this specific phrase is 낯을 가려.
How do you pronounce it?
Nacheul garyeoyo
Did you know?
- The verb 가리다 in 낯을 가려요 also means to be a picky eater, as in 음식을 가리다, implying a desire to filter out what one encounters.
- In Korea, saying 낯을 가려요 is often used as a social 'buffer' to excuse a lack of immediate enthusiasm during a first meeting without appearing rude.
- The word 낯 specifically refers to the face as a surface for recognition, which is why it appears in phrases about unfamiliarity rather than general beauty or anatomy.
Examples in context
- 저는 처음에는 낯을 가려요.jeoneun cheoeume-neun nacheul garyeoyo.I am shy at first.
- 아이가 낯을 가려요.aiga nacheul garyeoyo.The child is shy with strangers.
- 제가 좀 낯을 가려요.jega jom nacheul garyeoyo.I am a little shy.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Do-hyeon are meeting for the first time at a party.
- 지은 Ji-eun안녕하세요, 지은이에요. 반갑습니다.annyeonghaseyo, jieun-ieyo. bangapsumnida.Hello, I am Ji-eun. Nice to meet you.
- 도현 Do-hyeon안녕하세요, 도현입니다. 반갑습니다.annyeonghaseyo, dohyun-imnida. bangapsumnida.Hello, I am Do-hyeon. Nice to meet you.
- 지은 Ji-eun제가 낯을 가려요. 그래서 조금 떨려요.jega nacheul garyeoyo. geuraeseo jogeum tteollyeoyo.I am shy, so I am a bit nervous.
- 도현 Do-hyeon괜찮아요. 저도 사실 그래요.gwaenchannayo. jeodo sasil geuraeyo.It is okay. I am actually the same way.
