Definition
怕生 means 'to be shy with strangers', most often used about young children or animals. It is a separable verb (离合词): the verb part 怕 can split from the object part 生 when inserting elements like 什么 or 一点; for example, 怕什么生 ('what's there to be shy about?'). You can also use it as a stative verb with degree adverbs like 很.
v.o./s.v.
to be shy with strangers (usually of a child or animal)
Examples
- 怕生。Zhè háizi hěn pà shēng.This child is very shy with strangers.
- 怕生，。Tā pà shēng shénme shēng a, dàjiā dōu rènshi.Why is he shy? Everyone knows each other.
- ，怕生。Xiǎo gǒu gāng lái, yǒudiǎn pà shēng.The puppy just arrived, a bit shy with strangers.
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