naan5 jin4赧然

Jyutpingnaan5 jin4

Yalenáahn yìhn

Definition

Blushing; turning red from embarrassment.

writtenemotiondescriptions

How it's used

Literary and formal in nature, this term is rarely used in casual spoken Cantonese. It describes a specific physical reaction of blushing due to shame or shyness, often appearing in written descriptions or formal narratives rather than daily conversation. Most speakers would prefer more common expressions like 面紅 or 尷尬 to convey the same feeling.

Examples

keoi5佢bei2畀jan4人kit3揭cyun1穿zo2咗，zik1即hak1刻naan5赧jin4然gam3咁dai1低dai1低tau4頭。

He was exposed, and immediately lowered his head in a blush.

gin3見dou2到daai6大gaa1家gam3咁jit6熱cing4情，keoi5佢dou1都gok3覺dak1得jau5有di1啲naan5赧jin4然。

Seeing everyone so enthusiastic, he also felt a bit embarrassed and blushed.

Common phrases

naan5赧jin4然jat1一siu3笑

a shy, blushing smile

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a common adjective, but using it in casual speech will sound overly dramatic or unnatural. It is strictly for descriptive writing rather than everyday dialogue.