tímido
neutral
The standard word for "shy" is tímido, or tímida for a woman. In Mexico people also say penoso or the phrase me da pena, which means I feel shy or embarrassed.
Meaning: nervous or uneasy around others (adjective)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| tímido | neutral |
| penoso | Mexico, everyday |
| me da pena | Mexico, phrase |
You can say Es muy tímido for a shy man. With pena you say Me da pena hablar en público for I am shy to speak in public.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Pena in Mexico covers shyness and embarrassment, so ¡qué pena! can mean "how embarrassing" or "I am sorry".
How does it change in a sentence?
Tímido changes for gender and number: tímida, tímidos. Penoso works the same way.
Did you know?
- In Mexico ¡qué pena! can be said when apologizing, so it is useful on both sides of shyness and sorry.
Examples in context
- Mi hijo es muy tímido.My son is very shy.
- No seas penosa, pasa.Do not be shy, come in.
- Me da pena pedirle ayuda.I feel shy asking him for help.
Example conversation
Karla meets her boyfriend's mother, Doña Alicia, at the door of the house in Morelia.
- Doña AliciaPasa, mija, no seas penosa.Come in, dear, do not be shy.
- KarlaGracias, señora. Me da pena llegar sin avisar.Thank you, ma'am. I feel embarrassed arriving without warning.
- Doña AliciaEstás en tu casa. Siéntate.You are at home. Sit down.
