内気|うちきuchiki[0]heiban (flat)

1. na-adjective, nounshy; bashful; timid; reserved
   その内気うちきな少年しょうねんはぼそぼそと自分じぶんの名前なまえをつぶやいた。↗

   The shy boy murmured his name.

• Synonym気弱きよわNeutralSuggests a lack of courage, nervousness and little self-confidence; 「内気」 centres on shyness with strangers and shrinking back around others.
• SynonymシャイNeutralLoanword for shy and bashful, common in speech; lighter in tone than 「内気」 and often carrying a favourable nuance.
• Synonym気弱いきよわいNeutralAdjective covering weakness of will as well as timidity; used less often, and 「気弱」 is the usual choice.
• Related臆病おくびょうNeutralEmphasises fear — being cowardly and easily frightened. 「内気」 instead describes shyness with strangers and holding back in front of others.
• Related弱気よわきNeutralLacking confidence and taking a passive stance, often a temporary state of mind; 「内気」 is an ingrained personality trait.
• Related小心しょうしんWrittenA written/formal word for timidity laced with caution, often as 「小心者」; stresses hesitating and second-guessing before acting.
• Related気が小さいきがちいさいNeutralIdiom for being faint of heart and fretting over trifles; stresses a small, petty turn of mind rather than shyness.
• Related小胆しょうたんWrittenWritten, dated term for cowardice and timidity; very rare — 「小心」 is the usual choice.
• Antonym大胆だいたんNeutralBold and daring, as in 「大胆な発言」; the opposite of bashful, timid behaviour.
• Antonym社交的しゃこうてきNeutralSociable and proactive about mixing with people — the opposite of being shy with strangers.
• Antonym外向的がいこうてきNeutralDescribes an extroverted, outgoing personality — the opposite of the introverted, bashful 「内気」.

Use 「内気」 for a shy, introverted personality; in speech 「シャイ」 also works. For wariness only around strangers, say 「人見知り」. Choose 「臆病」 for timidity or fearfulness, and 「弱気」 for a lack of confidence.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 気きが弱よわく、遠慮えんりょがちな様子ようす。