Definition
含羞 is an adverb meaning 'shyly' or 'timidly', describing how someone does something with a bashful or embarrassed demeanor. It often pairs with 地 (de) before the verb it modifies. The word literally combines 含 ('to hold in the mouth') and 羞 ('shame/shyness'), evoking the image of someone holding back their shyness. It's a literary or formal register word, more common in written Chinese than everyday speech.
adv.
shylytimidly (with a bashful or embarrassed manner)
Examples
- 含羞,。Tā hán xiū de xiào le xiào, méiyǒu shuōhuà.She smiled shyly and didn't say anything.
- 含羞。Xiǎo nánhái hán xiū de duǒ zài māma shēnhòu.The little boy hid shyly behind his mother.
- 含羞,。Tā hán xiū de dì shàng yì fēng xìn, zhuǎnshēn jiù pǎo.He shyly handed over a letter and then turned and ran.
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