godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
put on a bold front; act tough; be unyielding
Describes a person who is tense, defensive, or trying to appear stronger than they feel. Often used in negative contexts or advice to relax.
彼はいつも肩肘張って生きている。
He always lives with his shoulders squared, on the defensive.
そんなに肩肘張らなくて
You don't have to be so tense about it.
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
act stiffly; be formal; be on ceremony
Used when someone is overly formal or rigid in social situations, unable to relax. Often appears in the negative form 肩肘張らずに (without stiffness).
初対面だと、どうしても肩肘張ってしまう。
When meeting someone for the first time, I can't help but act stiffly.
肩肘張らずに、普段の自分で話してください。
Please speak as your usual self, without being so formal.