忸 (niǔ) - To be embarrassed, ashamed, or ill at ease & often used in the compound 忸怩 to describe

忸Tone 3

niǔ ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 忄

柠七

忸 · niǔ

To be embarrassed, ashamed, or ill at ease;

often used in the compound 忸怩 to describe a shy or bashful demeanor.

To be embarrassed, ashamed, or ill at easeoften used in the compound 忸怩 to describe

Usage highlights

Bashful and shyEmbarrassed and ill at easeAppear coyShy demeanorFeel ashamed

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 大方— generous; poised, unaffected
  • 自然— natural, unforced

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She felt a bit shy (忸怩) when speaking in public.
  • He showed an embarrassed expression (忸怩的神态).
  • The child was bashful (忸怩不安) in front of strangers.

Collocations

  • Bashful and shy(忸怩)
  • Embarrassed and ill at ease(忸怩不安)
  • Appear coy(忸怩作态)
  • Shy demeanor(忸怩之态)
  • Feel ashamed(忸怩惭愧)

Idioms

  • Acting coy or bashful(忸怩作态)
  • Bashful and shy(忸忸怩怩)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 忸 is almost exclusively used in the disyllabic word 忸怩 (niǔní), describing a state of shyness or embarrassment, often with a slightly negative connotation of affectation.
  • In classical Chinese literature, it is used to depict characters who are coy or feigning shyness.

FAQ