怕羞
paa3 sau1
The English word shy translates to 怕羞 (paa3 sau1) in Cantonese.
The term 怕羞 is used to describe someone who is being shy or is easily embarrassed.
Meaning: reserved (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 怕羞 is composed of the verb 怕 (paa3), meaning 'to fear' and the noun 羞 (sau1), meaning 'shame' or 'bashfulness'.
Which one should you use?
While 怕羞 describes being shy or easily embarrassed, you can use the colloquial phrase 好慢熱 to describe someone who is slow to warm up or open up in social situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that someone is 'very shy', add the adverb 好 (hou2) before the phrase to make 好怕羞.
How do you pronounce it?
paa3 sau1
Did you know?
- While 怕羞 describes a personality trait, Cantonese speakers often use the word 醜 (cau2), meaning 'ugly', to describe the specific feeling of being shy or bashful in a social moment.
- Cantonese has a specific term 面皮薄 (min6 pei4 bok6) meaning 'thin face' to describe someone who is 怕羞 and easily embarrassed.
- In Cantonese culture, calling a child 怕羞 is often seen as a compliment to their modesty and good breeding rather than a social deficit.
Examples in context
- 佢好害羞，話咩都唔敢講。He is very shy and doesn't dare to say anything.
- 佢好怕羞，笑得特別甜。She is very shy and laughs particularly sweetly.
- 佢好怕羞。keoi5 hou2 paa3 sau1.He is very shy.
- 細路仔有時會怕羞。sai3 lou4 zai2 jau5 si4 wui5 paa3 sau1.Children are sometimes shy.
- 唔使怕羞啦。m4 sai2 paa3 sau1 laa1.No need to be shy.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new classmate.
- 子健 Tsz Kin你覺得新同學點樣？nei5 gok3 dak1 san1 tung4 hok6 dim2 joeng2?What do you think of the new classmate?
- 雅婷 Nga Ting佢好似好怕羞咁。keoi5 hou2 ci5 hou2 paa3 sau1 gam3.She seems to be very shy.
- 子健 Tsz Kin係，佢唔太主動。hai6, keoi5 m4 taai3 zyu2 dung6.Yes, she isn't very proactive.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting我會試下同佢傾計。ngo5 wui5 si3 haa2 tung4 keoi5 king1 gai3.I will try to chat with her.
