อาย
be shy
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- 1 be shy、feel embarrassed
This common word describes feeling self-conscious because of other people’s attention or judgment, ranging from bashfulness to shame about one’s actions.
be shy、feel embarrassed
Describes feeling shy, bashful, or self-conscious when receiving attention or interacting with others.
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ไม่ต้องอาย mây tɔ̂ŋ aay You don’t have to be shy. ไม่ต้องอาย details
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เขาอายที่จะถาม khǎw aay thîi cà thǎam He is too embarrassed to ask. เขาอายที่จะถาม details
Learning notes
Explanation
อาย is a common emotion verb used when someone feels self-conscious under other people’s attention or judgment. It can describe anything from mild bashfulness to genuine shame about one’s behavior. The intended meaning depends on context. Common patterns include อายเวลา followed by an activity for feeling self-conscious when doing something, อายที่จะ followed by a verb for being too embarrassed to do it, and อายที่ followed by an event or action for feeling ashamed about it. ขี้อาย describes a generally shy or bashful personality rather than a temporary feeling.
Usage
It is frequently used when someone speaks in public, talks to strangers, receives praise, or becomes the center of attention. It is also used when someone feels ashamed of a lie, mistake, or inappropriate behavior. ไม่ต้องอาย and อย่าอาย are common ways to reassure someone that they do not need to feel shy or embarrassed.
Caution
อาย describes the person who experiences embarrassment or shame; by itself, it does not mean “to embarrass someone.” Use ทำให้อาย for that causative meaning. Expressions such as ไม่อายบ้างเหรอ and น่าอาย can sound strongly critical when directed at someone.
Differences from similar words
1 be shy synonyms
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เขิน focuses on bashfulness, often caused by praise, affection, or romantic attention. อาย is broader and also covers general self-consciousness in front of others.