Significado
Feeling nervous around other people.
Contexto cultural
Shyness is often linked to 'Greng-jai', a deep-seated desire to not disturb or bother others. A shy person is often seen as considerate. Modern Thai teens use 'khîi-aai' playfully on social media, often pairing it with 'cute' (narak) to create a 'shy but cute' persona. In Bangkok's corporate world, 'khîi-aai' is increasingly viewed as a trait to be managed through 'Personality Development' (phat-thana-buk-kha-lik-ka-phap) courses. In villages, being 'khîi-aai' is often synonymous with being 'เรียบร้อย' (riap-roi), meaning well-behaved and respectful of elders.
The 'Khîi' Rule
Learn the 'khîi' prefix! It's the key to dozens of Thai personality traits. If you see 'khîi' + [emotion], it usually means 'a person who is always [emotion].'
Tone Matters
Make sure 'khîi' is a falling tone. If you say it with a rising tone, it means 'to ride' (khìi). You don't want to say you are 'riding embarrassment'!
Significado
Feeling nervous around other people.
The 'Khîi' Rule
Learn the 'khîi' prefix! It's the key to dozens of Thai personality traits. If you see 'khîi' + [emotion], it usually means 'a person who is always [emotion].'
Tone Matters
Make sure 'khîi' is a falling tone. If you say it with a rising tone, it means 'to ride' (khìi). You don't want to say you are 'riding embarrassment'!
Accepting Shyness
In Thailand, saying 'I'm shy' is a great way to get people to be extra nice and patient with you. It's a 'soft' social shield.
Add 'Khon'
Saying 'Pen khon khîi-aai' (Is a shy person) sounds much more natural than just 'Pen khîi-aai'.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct Thai word for 'shy'.
น้องชายของฉันเป็นคน____ ไม่กล้าคุยกับคนแปลกหน้า
'Khîi-aai' fits because the sentence mentions not daring to talk to strangers.
Which word is best for someone blushing because they like you?
เวลาเขาเจอคนที่ชอบ เขาจะรู้สึก....
'Khoen' is specifically for romantic or 'cute' embarrassment.
Match the Thai word to its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are all common 'khîi-' prefix words.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ไปเต้นกันไหม? B: ไม่เอาหรอก เรา____
Being shy is a common reason to decline dancing.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Shy vs. Embarrassed
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosน้องชายของฉันเป็นคน____ ไม่กล้าคุยกับคนแปลกหน้า
'Khîi-aai' fits because the sentence mentions not daring to talk to strangers.
เวลาเขาเจอคนที่ชอบ เขาจะรู้สึก....
'Khoen' is specifically for romantic or 'cute' embarrassment.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
These are all common 'khîi-' prefix words.
A: ไปเต้นกันไหม? B: ไม่เอาหรอก เรา____
Being shy is a common reason to decline dancing.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasNo, it's generally neutral or even endearing. However, calling an adult 'khîi-aai' in a professional setting might imply they lack confidence.
Yes! It's very common to say 'Phom/Chun khîi-aai' to explain why you are quiet.
'Aai' is the verb 'to feel ashamed/embarrassed'. 'Khîi-aai' is the adjective 'shy'.
Say 'Phom mai khîi-aai' (ผมไม่ขี้อาย).
You can use 'มีความประหม่า' (mi khwam prama) for 'having nervousness', but it's very formal.
Yes, you can describe a shy dog or cat as 'khîi-aai'.
No, 'coward' is 'khîi-khlat'. 'Khîi-aai' is just social shyness.
It's a linguistic metaphor for 'waste' or 'excessive habit' that has been in the language for centuries.
Yes, add 'mak' at the end: 'khîi-aai mak'.
Yes, many Thai pop songs use it to describe a lover who is too shy to say 'I love you'.
The opposite is 'kla-han' (brave) or 'man-chai' (confident).
No, situations are 'naa-aai' (embarrassing). Only people/animals are 'khîi-aai'.
Frases relacionadas
เขิน
similarTo feel embarrassed/blush
ประหม่า
similarTo be nervous/jittery
กล้าหาญ
contrastBrave/Courageous
หน้าบาง
specialized formThin-faced/Sensitive
ไม่กล้า
builds onNot dare
