paa3 jan4怕人
Jyutpingpaa3 jan4
Yalepa yàhn
Definition
Shy around people, or worried about what people will say.
- shy; afraid of strangers or crowds
- worried about gossip or what others will say
colloquialpeopleanimals
How it's used
Describes both the skittish behavior of animals and the social anxiety or shyness of humans. When applied to people, it implies a lack of confidence in social settings rather than a phobia of human beings. It is frequently used to explain why a child hides behind their parents or why a pet runs away from guests.
Examples
The cat is very afraid of people and won't let anyone touch it.
He has a shy personality and rarely talks to strangers.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 怕醜, which specifically refers to being shy or embarrassed. While 怕人 can imply shyness, it also carries a sense of being wary or avoiding contact, whereas 怕醜 is strictly about the feeling of social awkwardness.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
