社交不安
shakō fuan
Social anxiety in Japanese is 社交不安 (shakō fuan).
社交不安 is used to describe the discomfort or fear felt in social situations. In medical or clinical contexts, it is often extended to 社交不安障害 (shakō fuan shōgai) to specifically denote 'social anxiety disorder'. You can also use the phrase 重度の社交不安症 to mean 'severe social anxiety disorder'.
Meaning: discomfort or fear in social situation (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 社交不安 is composed of 社交 (shakō), meaning 'socializing' or 'social intercourse' and 不安 (fuan), meaning 'anxiety' or 'unease'.
Which one should you use?
Additionally, 社交不安症 is a more formal way to express 'social anxiety disorder'.
How do you pronounce it?
shakō fuan
Did you know?
- In Japan, social anxiety may manifest as 対人恐怖症 (taijin kyōfushō), a culturally specific syndrome where the fear is not of being judged, but of making others feel uncomfortable.
- While 'social anxiety' is a medical term, people often use the word コミュ障 (komyu-shō) in casual conversation to describe someone who is socially awkward or has difficulty communicating.
- The concept of 社交不安 is often discussed alongside 空気読み (kūki yomi), the social necessity of 'reading the air' to sense others' moods without being told.
Examples in context
- 彼女は社交不安症で大勢の人に会うのが苦手です。She has social anxiety disorder and is bad at meeting many people.
- 卒業式のスピーチをすることになり、社交不安症が悪化しています。I have to give a speech at the graduation ceremony, and my social anxiety is getting worse.
- 彼は社交不安を感じている。Kare wa shakou fuan o kanjite iru.He is feeling social anxiety.
- 社交不安はとても辛いものです。Shakou fuan wa totemo tsurai mono desu.Social anxiety is a very painful thing.
- 社交不安を克服するのは難しい。Shakou fuan o kokufuku suru no wa muzukashii.It is difficult to overcome social anxiety.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are talking about their feelings before a party.
- 蓮 Renパーティーに行くのが少し怖いです。Pātī ni iku no ga sukoshi kowai desu.I'm a little scared to go to the party.
- 結衣 Yuiどうして、蓮さん？Dōshite, Ren-san?Why is that, Ren?
- 蓮 Ren実は、社交不安があるんです。Jitsu wa, shakaikofuan ga aru n desu.Actually, I have social anxiety.
- 結衣 Yui大丈夫ですよ。私が一緒にいますから。Daijōbu desu yo. Watashi ga issho ni imasu kara.It's okay. I'll be with you.
