引ひっ込こみ思じ案あん

ひ

っ

こ

み

じ

あ

ん

Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun

shy; reserved; withdrawn; introverted

Describes a person who tends to hold back, avoid asserting themselves, or withdraw from social situations. Often used for a personality trait rather than a temporary state.

彼かの女じょは引ひっ込こみ思案じあんで、パーティーではいつも隅すみにいる。
She is shy and always stays in the corner at parties.
引ひっ込こみ思案じあん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 reserved personality.

See all 5 example sentences ›

Kanji

引pull, tug, jerk
込crowded, mixture, in bulk
思think
案plan, suggestion, draft

Related words

内うち気きN2
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.
非ひ社しゃ交こう的てきN1
引っ込み思案 describes a shy, hesitant reluctance to put oneself forward, whereas 非社交的 more broadly describes a general dislike of socializing.
内ない向こう的てきN1
引っ込み思案 emphasizes a hesitance to speak up or act, whereas 内向的 is a more general term for an introspective, inward personality.
人ひと見み知しりN2
引っ込み思案 describes a reserved, hesitant personality that holds back from social situations in general, while 人見知り is specifically about strangers.

Built from

引ひっ込こむ+思し案あん

Etymology

Formed from 引っ込み, “withdrawal” or “holding back,” and 思案, “thought, consideration.” Attested from the early Edo period, it describes a timid or retiring disposition that avoids coming forward.