A2 adjective 중립 #4,000 가장 일반적인 3분 분량

难为情

nán wéi qíng nan2 wei2 qing2
연습하기 노트와 팁

Overview

The Chinese word '难为情' (nán wéi qíng) is a versatile and nuanced expression that conveys feelings of embarrassment, shyness, or awkwardness. It's often used when one feels a sense of discomfort or self-consciousness due to a particular situation, action, or social interaction.

At its core, '难为情' describes a state where one feels put on the spot, or where their actions or circumstances cause them to feel a degree of shame or unease. This can stem from various situations:

  1. 1Embarrassment due to personal actions: If someone makes a mistake, says something inappropriate, or acts clumsily, they might feel '难为情'. For example, if you trip and fall in front of many people, you would likely feel '难为情'.
  1. 1Shyness or modesty: When someone is praised excessively, or put in a situation where they are the center of attention and are not comfortable with it, they might express '难为情'. It's a humble way of deflecting attention or indicating a mild discomfort with being lauded.
  1. 1Awkwardness in social situations: This can arise when there's an uncomfortable silence, a misunderstanding, or a socially delicate situation. For instance, if two people are arguing loudly in a public space, bystanders might feel '难为情' for them, or simply feel awkward witnessing the scene.
  1. 1Feeling obliged or inconvenienced: Sometimes, '难为情' can be used when someone feels a burden or discomfort because they have to ask for a favor, or if someone else is going out of their way for them. It indicates a sense of not wanting to impose or cause trouble.

Grammatically, '难为情' is an adjective, often used after verbs like '感到' (gǎndào - to feel) or '觉得' (juéde - to think/feel). It can also be used with '让' (ràng - to make/let) to describe something that causes embarrassment, e.g., '这让我很难为情' (zhè ràng wǒ hěn nán wéi qíng - This makes me feel very embarrassed).

Culturally, understanding '难为情' is important in appreciating Chinese communication styles, which often value modesty and harmony. Expressing '难为情' can be a way of showing humility, acknowledging a social faux pas, or simply navigating delicate interpersonal dynamics.

In summary, '难为情' is a multifaceted term that captures the essence of feeling awkward, shy, or embarrassed, often rooted in social interactions and personal self-consciousness. Its use highlights the speaker's awareness of social norms and their emotional response to situations that might challenge those norms or put them in an uncomfortable spotlight.

예시

1

我真替他难为情。

When someone else is doing something embarrassing.

I really felt embarrassed for him.

2

你别再提那件事了，我听着都替你难为情。

To express discomfort or embarrassment on behalf of someone else.

Don't bring that up again, I feel awkward just hearing about it for you.

3

当众出丑，他感到非常难为情。

Describing one's own feeling of embarrassment after a public mistake.

Making a fool of himself in public, he felt extremely embarrassed.

4

第一次登台表演，她有点难为情。

Describing shyness or awkwardness in a new or public situation.

It was her first time performing on stage, she felt a bit shy/awkward.

5

被老师表扬了，她反而有些难为情。

Feeling awkward or uncomfortable when receiving praise, especially if it's unexpected or excessive.

She was praised by the teacher, but instead felt a bit awkward.

자주 쓰는 조합

感到难为情
真叫人难为情
有些难为情
觉得难为情

자주 혼동되는 단어

难为情 vs 为难 (wéinán)

'难为情' describes a feeling of embarrassment or shyness, often due to a situation or one's own actions. '为难' means to feel awkward, put in a difficult position, or to make things difficult for someone. While both can involve discomfort, '难为情' is more about personal embarrassment, whereas '为难' is about difficulty or a predicament.

문법 패턴

Subject + 难为情 (e.g., 他感到难为情。Tā gǎndào nánwéiqíng. He felt embarrassed.) 因为 (yīnwèi) ... 所以 (suǒyǐ) ... 难为情 (e.g., 因为说错了话，他有些难为情。Yīnwèi shuō cuòle huà, tā yǒuxiē nánwéiqíng. Because he said the wrong thing, he was a bit embarrassed.) A 让 (ràng) B 难为情 (e.g., 他的玩笑让朋友感到难为情。Tā de wánxiào ràng péngyǒu gǎndào nánwéiqíng. His joke made his friend feel embarrassed.)

사용법

When using '难为情,' it's important to understand its nuances. It can describe a general feeling of shyness, like a child who is '难为情' in front of strangers. However, it more commonly refers to a feeling of awkwardness or embarrassment in a social context, often stemming from a concern for how one is perceived by others. For example, if someone makes a mistake in public, they might say '我感到很难为情' (Wǒ gǎndào hěn nán wéi qíng - I feel very embarrassed/awkward). It can also be used to describe a situation that puts someone in an awkward position, such as '这让我很难为情' (Zhè ràng wǒ hěn nán wéi qíng - This makes me feel very awkward). It's distinct from '害羞' (hài xiū), which generally refers to shyness without the same emphasis on social impropriety or loss of face. '难为情' often implies a more profound sense of unease or discomfort related to social standing or interaction.

자주 하는 실수

Some learners might confuse '难为情 (nánwéiqíng)' with '不好意思 (bùhǎoyìsi),' which also means embarrassed or shy. While they can be used similarly, '难为情' often implies a deeper sense of shame or awkwardness, particularly in situations where one feels a loss of face or is put in an uncomfortable position. '不好意思' is generally milder and can also express an apology or polite refusal.

팁

💡

Usage Tips

'难为情' (nánwéiqíng) is often used to describe a feeling of embarrassment or shyness due to a particular situation or action. It can imply a sense of awkwardness or discomfort. It's commonly used when someone feels a bit ashamed or uneasy, often in social contexts. For example, if someone compliments you excessively, you might feel 难为情. It can also describe a situation that puts someone in an awkward position.

💡

Common Pitfalls

Be careful not to confuse '难为情' with general sadness or anger. While embarrassment can sometimes lead to those emotions, '难为情' specifically points to the feeling of awkwardness or shyness. Also, it's not typically used for severe shame or guilt for a serious wrongdoing; for those, stronger terms might be more appropriate. It's more about a milder, often temporary, feeling of discomfort in social interactions or when put on the spot.

💡

Example Sentences

1. 他被老师当众表扬，感到有点难为情。(Tā bèi lǎoshī dāngzhòng biǎoyáng, gǎndào yǒudiǎn nánwéiqíng.) - He felt a bit embarrassed when the teacher praised him in front of everyone. 2. 她第一次上台演讲，有点难为情。(Tā dì yī cì shàngtái yǎnjiǎng, yǒudiǎn nánwéiqíng.) - She felt a bit shy when giving a speech on stage for the first time. 3. 让他做这样的事情，真是有点难为情。(Ràng tā zuò zhèyàng de shìqíng, zhēnshi yǒudiǎn nánwéiqíng.) - It's really a bit awkward to ask him to do such a thing.

어원

The term '难为情' (nánwéiqíng) is a descriptive adjective in Chinese that conveys feelings of embarrassment, shyness, or awkwardness. Let's break down its components to understand its origin and evolution. The first character, '难' (nán), has several meanings, including 'difficult,' 'hard,' or 'troublesome.' In this context, it leans towards the idea of something being 'hard to bear' or 'uncomfortable.' The second character, '为' (wéi), is a versatile function word. It can mean 'to be,' 'to do,' 'to act as,' or 'because of.' Here, it acts as a linking particle, suggesting a state or condition. The third character, '情' (qíng), refers to 'feeling,' 'emotion,' 'sentiment,' or 'situation.' It encapsulates the emotional aspect of the phrase. When combined, '难为情' literally translates to something like 'difficult to bear emotionally' or 'uncomfortable in feeling.' This combination effectively describes the state of being embarrassed or shy, where one feels a sense of discomfort or awkwardness in a particular social situation. The phrase's usage can be traced back to classical Chinese literature, though its precise form and frequency of use have evolved over time. The concept of feeling embarrassed or awkward is universal, and different languages have developed various ways to express it. In Chinese, '难为情' has become a common and idiomatic way to convey these specific emotions. Over the centuries, the term has remained largely consistent in its core meaning, reflecting the enduring human experience of shyness and embarrassment. It is often used in situations where one feels a bit self-conscious, perhaps after making a mistake, receiving unexpected praise, or being put in an unfamiliar social context. The nuance of '难为情' often suggests a gentle, slightly bashful embarrassment rather than intense shame. In modern Chinese, '难为情' is still widely used in both spoken and written language. It can describe a person's demeanor, a particular situation, or the feeling itself. For example, one might say '他感到很难为情' (tā gǎndào nánwéiqíng) meaning 'He felt very embarrassed,' or '这件事让我很难为情' (zhè jiàn shì ràng wǒ nánwéiqíng) meaning 'This matter made me feel awkward.' In summary, '难为情' is a compound word whose meaning is derived from the combination of 'difficult/uncomfortable' (难) and 'feeling/emotion' (情), linked by '为'. Its etymology reflects a long-standing way in Chinese to express the human experience of embarrassment, shyness, and awkwardness.

문화적 맥락

In Chinese culture, '难为情' (nán wéi qíng) encapsulates a complex emotional state that goes beyond a simple translation of 'embarrassed' or 'shy.' It often arises in situations where one feels a sense of awkwardness or discomfort due to social expectations, potential loss of face (面子, miànzi), or having caused inconvenience to others. It can also describe a feeling of being put on the spot or feeling inadequate in a particular situation. This feeling is deeply rooted in the collectivist nature of Chinese society, where harmony and social propriety are highly valued. For instance, receiving excessive praise might make someone '难为情' because it can feel immodest or draw unwanted attention. Similarly, asking for a favor that might burden someone could also evoke this feeling, as it challenges the balance of social reciprocity.

암기 팁

The character '难 (nán)' means difficult, and '为情 (wéiqíng)' means for emotions or feelings. So, '难为情' literally translates to 'difficult for feelings,' which conveys the sense of being embarrassed or shy.

자주 묻는 질문

4 질문

'难为情' (nán wéi qíng) is a Chinese expression that translates to embarrassed, shy, or awkward. It describes a feeling of discomfort, shame, or self-consciousness that arises in situations where one feels exposed, vulnerable, or has done something perceived as inappropriate. It can also imply a sense of being put in a difficult position or feeling uncomfortable about something. This versatile term is commonly used to express emotional states related to social interactions and personal feelings.

Certainly. A common usage example would be: '他当众唱歌，觉得有点难为情。' (Tā dāng zhòng chàng gē, jué dé yǒu diǎn nán wéi qíng.) This translates to: 'He felt a bit embarrassed singing in front of everyone.' Another example: '我真难为情，不知道该说什么。' (Wǒ zhēn nán wéi qíng, bù zhī dào gāi shuō shén me.) meaning 'I'm really awkward/embarrassed, I don't know what to say.' It effectively conveys a sense of shyness or discomfort in social situations.

Yes, there are several synonyms or closely related terms in Chinese, though their nuances might differ slightly. Some common ones include '害羞' (hài xiū), which primarily means shy or bashful; '尴尬' (gān gà), which also means embarrassed or awkward, often implying a more socially uncomfortable or cringeworthy situation; and '不好意思' (bù hǎo yì si), which is a very common phrase for feeling embarrassed, apologetic, or a bit shy. The choice depends on the specific context and the intensity of the feeling being conveyed.

While both '难为情' (nán wéi qíng) and '尴尬' (gān gà) convey a sense of embarrassment or awkwardness, there's a subtle distinction. '难为情' often leans towards a feeling of shyness, bashfulness, or a personal sense of shame. It can be more about one's internal emotional state. '尴尬', on the other hand, frequently describes an awkward or uncomfortable situation that might be externally observed or felt by others as well. It often implies a social blunder or a cringeworthy moment. For instance, being caught in an embarrassing situation could be '尴尬', while feeling shy about speaking in public might be '难为情'.

셀프 테스트

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她因为在课堂上出错而感到很___________。

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
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当被要求在大家面前唱歌时，他显得有点___________。

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
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第一次见到他家人，我感到有些___________。

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

점수: /3

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