noun
bashful person; very shy person
Describes someone who is habitually shy, easily embarrassed, or prone to blushing. Often used in a slightly endearing or teasing way.
彼ははにかみ屋で、人前で話すのが苦手だ。
He is a bashful person and not good at speaking in public.
妹ははにかみ屋だから、初対面の人とはなかなか打ち解けられない。
My younger sister is very shy, so she has trouble opening up to people she meets for the first time.
Similar meaning, but 恥ずかしがり屋 is more common and neutral. はにかみ屋 has a slightly softer, more old-fashioned or literary feel.
From the verb はにかむ (to be shy/bashful) + 屋 (person with that trait). The exact origin of はにかむ is uncertain, but it is a native Japanese word.