ขี้อาย
khi ai
The English word shy is translated into Thai as ขี้อาย (khi ai).
ขี้อาย is an adjective used to describe someone who is reserved by nature.
Meaning: reserved (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of two parts: the prefix ขี้ (khi), which literally refers to excrement or the act of defecating but functions in many compound adjectives to mean 'prone to' or 'having a tendency towards' and อาย (ai), which means to be shy or embarrassed.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between ขี้อาย and อาย. While ขี้อาย describes a person's character trait of being a shy person, อาย describes a temporary feeling of being shy or embarrassed in a specific moment.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, ขี้อาย can be used directly after a subject without needing a linking verb like 'to be'.
How do you pronounce it?
khi ai
Did you know?
- While ขี้อาย is a neutral trait, Thai culture often values the concept of เกรงใจ (kreng jai), a specific type of consideration that can look like shyness to outsiders but is actually a social virtue.
- The prefix ขี้ (khi) is so common in personality traits that it can be used to create new, slangy descriptions of habits, such as ขี้มโน for someone who imagines things too much.
- While ขี้อาย is a personality trait, Thai speakers often use อาย to describe things that are 'shameful' or 'embarrassing' regardless of whether a person is actually feeling shy.
Examples in context
- เธอไม่ขี้อายอย่างเคยShe's not as shy as she used to be.This sentence is useful for describing a change in someone's personality using ขี้อาย.Tatoeba #2978336 by melsk125, translation #1442097 by CK
- เขาเป็นคนขี้อายมากkhao pen khon khi-ai makHe is a very shy person.
- อย่าขี้อายไปเลยนะya khi-ai pai loei naDon't be so shy.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new coworker.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitพนักงานใหม่คนนั้นขี้อายหรือเปล่าphanak-ngan mai khon nan khi-ai rue plaoIs that new employee shy?
- ณิชา Nichaใช่ค่ะ เขาดูขี้อายมากเลยchai kha, khao du khi-ai mak loeiYes, he seems very shy.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitเขาอาจจะแค่ยังไม่ชินkhao at cha khae yang mai chinHe might just not be used to it yet.
- ณิชา Nichaก็เป็นได้ค่ะko pen dai khaThat could be true.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
