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内気 (うちき, uchiki) Japanese meaning: shy | Kotomora

内うち気き

う

ち

き

Common word›JLPTN2›Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

na-adjective, noun

shy; bashful; timid; reserved

Describes a person's disposition as introverted, shy, or hesitant in social situations. Often used with な to modify nouns or as a predicate.

彼かの女じょは内うち気きで、人ひと前まえで話はなすのが苦にが手てだ。

She is shy and not good at speaking in front of people.

内うち気きな性せい格かくを直なおしたいと思おもっている。

I want to overcome my shy personality.

Usage patterns

内うち気きな性せい格かくa shy, reserved personality
彼かれは内うち気きな性せい格かくで、人ひと前まえで話はなすのが苦にが手てだ。
He has a shy personality and isn't good at speaking in front of people.
内うち気きを克こく服ふくするto overcome one's shyness
内うち気きを克こく服ふくするために、演えん劇げき部ぶに入はいった。
I joined the drama club to overcome my shyness.
〈人ひと〉は内うち気きで〜being shy, (someone does/doesn't do something)
彼かの女じょは内うち気きで、初しょ対たい面めんの人ひととはなかなか話はなせない。
She's shy, so she has a hard time talking to people she's just met.
内うち気きなところがあるto have a shy side
彼かれは内うち気きなところがあるが、仲なか良よくなると話はなし上手じょうずだ。
He has a shy side, but once you get close to him he's a great talker.

Kanji

内inside, within, between
気spirit, mind, air

Related words· 8

恥はずかしがり屋や
恥ずかしがり屋 emphasizes a tendency to feel embarrassed easily, while 内気 is a broader term for an introverted or reserved nature.
引ひっ込こみ思じ案あん
引っ込み思案 suggests a reluctance to step forward or take initiative, often due to shyness, while 内気 focuses more on the internal feeling of shyness or reserve.
内ない向こう的てきN1
内向的 describes an introverted personality trait in a more analytical, psychological sense, while 内気 refers to everyday shyness or bashfulness in social situations.
大人おとなしいN3
大人しい describes a calm, gentle, or quiet demeanor that may or may not involve shyness, while 内気 specifically describes a shy or bashful disposition.

Show 4 more

シャイN2
内気 is a native Japanese word describing an inherent, often deep-seated shy personality, while シャイ is a lighter, more casual loanword for the same trait.
内ない向こうN1
内気 is the everyday word for being shy or timid, while 内向 is a more analytical term for an inward-facing personality tendency.
人ひと見み知しりN2
内気 describes a generally shy or timid personality in all situations, while 人見知り specifically refers to anxiety or shyness around unfamiliar people.

Opposites

積せっ極きょく的てきN3
積極的 describes an active, proactive attitude, the opposite of the withdrawn, hesitant nature described by 内気.
外がい向こう的てき
外向的 describes an extroverted, sociable personality, directly opposite to the introverted shyness of 内気.

Don't confuse with

外がい気きN1
外気 means 'outside air', but 内気 (with the opposite kanji 内) means 'shy, reserved' and describes a person's personality, not air at all.

Built from

Etymology

Composed of 内 (inside) and 気 (spirit/mind), literally 'inner spirit', referring to a personality that is inwardly focused or reserved.

照て

れ

性しょう

N1

内気 describes a reserved, introverted personality in general, whereas 照れ性 focuses specifically on becoming embarrassed or flustered in social moments.