害羞

hàixiū

adjective HSK 7-9 #3,818

Meanings

Here 害 doesn't mean 'harm' but 'to feel' (an older usage preserved in this word).

HSK 1

他是个很害羞的人。

Tā shì ge hěn hàixiū de rén.

He's a very shy person.

HSK 2

别害羞，大声说出来。

Bié hàixiū, dàshēng shuō chūlái.

Don't be shy, say it out loud.

HSK 7-9

她害羞地低下了头。

Tā hàixiū de dīxià le tóu.

She shyly lowered her head.

history

The 害 in 害羞 preserves an archaic meaning of 'to feel' (as in experiencing an emotion), not 'to harm.' The same usage appears in 害怕 (to feel afraid).

害 hài

羞 xiū