Definition
羞于启齿 is a four-character fixed expression meaning 'to be too embarrassed to say something out loud'. It describes a situation where someone feels shame or awkwardness and therefore keeps a thought, feeling, or request unspoken. It is used as a verb phrase, often with the structure '对…羞于启齿' (too embarrassed to say to someone).
f.e.
to be too embarrassed to speak one's mindto be too shy to say something
Examples
- 羞于启齿，。Tā duì zìjǐ de guòqù xiū yú qǐ chǐ, hěn shǎo tíqǐ.He is too embarrassed about his past to talk about it and rarely brings it up.
- ，羞于启齿。Yǒuxiē wèntí, jíshǐ shì duì jiārén yě xiū yú qǐ chǐ.There are some questions that one is too embarrassed to ask even to family members.
- 羞于启齿。Tā xiū yú qǐ chǐ xiàng péngyou jiè qián.He was too ashamed to borrow money from his friends.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.