អៀន
iǝn
The Khmer word for "shy" is អៀន (iǝn).
The term អៀន is used to describe someone who is reserved or shy in their behavior.
Meaning: reserved (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is romanized as iǝn.
Did you know?
- When a person is described as អៀន in a romantic context, it often implies a delicate, charming tension rather than a lack of confidence.
- When someone is អៀន, they may accompany the word with a gentle downward gaze and a smile, which is a culturally coded signal of respect and politeness.
- In Khmer culture, being អៀន is not always viewed as a negative personality trait, but can be seen as a sign of modesty and good upbringing.
Examples in context
- ក្មេងស្រីនោះអៀនណាស់។kmeng srey noh ien nah.That girl is very shy.
- គាត់មិនសូវអៀនទេ។koat min sov ien te.He is not very shy.
- កុំអៀនអី និយាយមក។kom ien ey, niyay mok.Don't be shy, just speak.
Example conversation
Chinda and Sok are at a party with many strangers.
- សុខ Sokហេតុអ្វី ចិន្តា មិនទៅនិយាយជាមួយពួកគេ?het ey Chinda min tov niyay cheamuoy pouk-ke?Why doesn't Chinda go talk to them?
- ចិន្តា Chindaខ្ញុំអៀន ព្រោះខ្ញុំមិនស្គាល់នរណាម្នាក់ទេ។khnhom ien pruos khnhom min skoal nor-na mneak te.I'm shy because I don't know anyone.
- សុខ Sokកុំអៀនអី ខ្ញុំនឹងណែនាំអ្នកឱ្យស្គាល់។kom ien ey, khnhom neng nae-nam neak oy skoal.Don't be shy, I will introduce you.
- ចិន្តា Chindaអរគុណ សុខ ដែលជួយខ្ញុំ។orkun Sok del chuoy khnhom.Thank you, Sok, for helping me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shy” translations and entries អៀន, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
