はにかむ

は

に

か

む

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-mu), intransitive verb

be shy; be bashful; look shy

usually written using kana alone

Describes a person's shy or bashful demeanor, often with a gentle or endearing connotation. Commonly used for children or in light, affectionate contexts.

彼かの女じょははにかんでうつむいた。
She looked down shyly.
子

こ

供ども

たち

は

はにかみ

ながら

挨あい

拶さつ

し

た

。

The children greeted us bashfully.

Written forms

Applies to each form listed below

gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun

はにかむUsage100%
Usually written in kana. The kanji form 含羞む is rare.
含羞はにかむ
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; the reading is a gikun/jukujikun.

Kanji

含contain, include, hold in the mouth
羞feel ashamed

Similar words

恥はずかしがる
恥ずかしがる is more about feeling embarrassed or self-conscious, while はにかむ emphasizes a shy, bashful expression or manner.
照てれる
照れる is a more casual, everyday word for feeling embarrassed or awkward, often in a self-conscious way. はにかむ is softer and more about a shy smile or demeanor.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. The kanji 含羞む is a jukujikun (special reading) combining 含 (contain) and 羞 (shame), but the word itself is native Japanese.