How to Say “I am shy” in Chinese
Feelings and opinions · HSK 3
"I am shy" in Chinese is 我很害羞 (wǒ hěn hài xiū). 我很害羞 (wǒ hěn hài xiū) is the standard way to say 'I'm shy.' Note the 很 (hěn); Chinese adjectives almost always need a degree adverb in front of them, even when you don't mean 'very.
Primary translation
我很害羞
wǒ hěn hài xiū
Variants by register
Formal
我有点害羞
wǒ yǒu diǎn hài xiū
Casual
我害羞啦
wǒ hài xiū la
When to use it
我很害羞 (wǒ hěn hài xiū) is the standard way to say 'I'm shy.' Note the 很 (hěn); Chinese adjectives almost always need a degree adverb in front of them, even when you don't mean 'very.' Without it, 我害羞 sounds incomplete or like a comparison. 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) is a related and very useful word that covers shyness, embarrassment, and 'excuse me.' Younger people often add 啦 (la) at the end to soften the admission, especially when teased; it sounds cute and self-aware rather than seriously bashful.
Example sentences
我很害羞，不敢说话。
Wǒ hěn hài xiū, bù gǎn shuō huà.
I'm shy and don't dare to speak.
她见到陌生人有点害羞。
Tā jiàn dào mò shēng rén yǒu diǎn hài xiū.
She gets a bit shy when meeting strangers.
别害羞，大家都是朋友。
Bié hài xiū, dà jiā dōu shì péng yǒu.
Don't be shy, we're all friends here.