Inklingo

How to Say "shy" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “shy” is “tímido” — use this for a general personality descriptor, indicating someone who is naturally reserved or hesitant around new people or in social situations.

tímidoA2

Use this for a general personality descriptor, indicating someone who is naturally reserved or hesitant around new people or in social situations.

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vergonzoso🔊A2

This word describes a person whose nature includes shyness, often implying a degree of self-consciousness or a tendency to feel embarrassed easily.

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apenado🔊B1

Use this when someone is feeling timid or embarrassed in a specific social situation, often implying a temporary state rather than a permanent trait.

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callado🔊A2

This refers to someone who is quiet by nature and doesn't talk much, which can sometimes overlap with shyness but primarily describes a reserved personality.

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corto🔊B1

Use this to describe someone who is reserved or hesitant to speak or act, often encouraging them to be more outgoing.

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atado🔊B2

This describes a feeling of being tongue-tied or socially awkward in a particular moment, making it difficult to speak or act naturally.

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cortado🔊B2

Similar to 'atado', this term describes being rendered speechless or very reserved due to surprise, nervousness, or embarrassment in a specific situation.

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quedado🔊B2

This term refers to someone who is habitually reserved or quiet in social settings, often to the point of seeming shy or withdrawn.

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English → Spanish

tímido

adjectiveA2general
Use this for a general personality descriptor, indicating someone who is naturally reserved or hesitant around new people or in social situations.

Examples

Mi hermano es muy tímido y no habla mucho con gente nueva.

My brother is very shy and doesn't talk much with new people.

vergonzoso

vair-gohn-SOH-sohbeɾ.ɣonˈso.so

adjectiveA2general
This word describes a person whose nature includes shyness, often implying a degree of self-consciousness or a tendency to feel embarrassed easily.
A small, timid character partially hiding behind a large, bright green tree trunk, peeking out nervously with one eye.

Examples

Mi hijo es muy vergonzoso y no le gusta hablar en clase.

My son is very shy and doesn't like to speak in class.

Estaba tan vergonzosa que se puso roja.

She was so bashful/ashamed that she turned red.

Cuando le pregunté su nombre, se puso vergonzoso.

When I asked his name, he got shy/embarrassed.

Ser vs. Estar: Personality vs. Feeling

Use 'ser' (Ella es vergonzosa) to describe someone's shy personality. Use 'estar' (Él está vergonzoso) to describe that they are currently feeling ashamed or embarrassed about something.

Confusing 'Shy' and 'Shameful'

Mistake: “Using 'tímido' to describe a shameful event.”

Correction: Tímido only describes people who are shy. Use 'vergonzoso' for both the shy person AND the embarrassing event.

apenado

ah-peh-NAH-dohapeˈnaðo

adjectiveB1general
Use this when someone is feeling timid or embarrassed in a specific social situation, often implying a temporary state rather than a permanent trait.
A young child hiding their face behind their hands while blushing.

Examples

No te quedes ahí apenado, ¡pasa y conoce a la familia!

Don't stand there shyly, come in and meet the family!

Me sentí muy apenado cuando se me olvidó tu nombre.

I felt very embarrassed when I forgot your name.

Él estaba apenado por haber llegado tan tarde a la cena.

He was ashamed of having arrived so late to the dinner.

Social Context

This word describes that 'awkward' feeling you get when you've made a mistake or are the center of attention.

The 'Pregnant' Trap

Mistake: “Estoy muy embarazado por mi error.”

Correction: Estoy muy apenado por mi error. 'Embarazado' means pregnant; 'apenado' is the word you want for embarrassed!

callado

ca-YA-dokaˈʎaðo

adjectiveA2general
This refers to someone who is quiet by nature and doesn't talk much, which can sometimes overlap with shyness but primarily describes a reserved personality.
A drawing of a child sitting calmly, pressing a finger vertically to their lips to signal silence in a serene setting.

Examples

Mi hermana es muy callada en clase, pero habla mucho en casa.

My sister is very quiet/reserved in class, but she talks a lot at home.

El bosque estaba callado, solo se escuchaban los pájaros.

The forest was silent; only the birds could be heard.

Se quedó callado cuando le preguntaron por el dinero.

He remained silent when they asked him about the money.

Agreement is Essential

As an adjective, 'callado' must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'el niño callado' (m), 'la niña callada' (f), 'los niños callados' (plural m).

Callado vs. Silencioso

Mistake: “Using 'silencioso' to describe a person's reserved nature.”

Correction: Use 'callado' for a person who is quiet or reserved ('una persona callada'). Use 'silencioso' for a room or thing that makes no noise ('una habitación silenciosa').

corto

KOR-tohˈkoɾto

adjectiveB1informal
Use this to describe someone who is reserved or hesitant to speak or act, often encouraging them to be more outgoing.
A small, timid child partially hiding behind a large, sturdy tree trunk, looking reservedly toward the viewer.

Examples

No seas corto, habla con ella.

Don't be shy/reserved, talk to her.

Parece que está un poco corto de memoria.

It seems he is a bit lacking in memory.

Mi abuela está un poco corta de oído.

My grandmother is a little hard of hearing (short of hearing).

Using 'Corto de'

When 'corto' describes a deficiency, it is often followed by 'de' (of) and the noun indicating what is lacking: 'corto de dinero' (short on money), 'corto de paciencia' (lacking patience).

atado

ah-TAH-dohaˈtaðo

adjectiveB2general
This describes a feeling of being tongue-tied or socially awkward in a particular moment, making it difficult to speak or act naturally.
A small, friendly mouse standing awkwardly, looking down at its feet with a slight blush on its cheeks, indicating shyness.

Examples

Cuando conoció a la jefa, se sintió muy atado y no dijo nada.

When he met the boss, he felt very tongue-tied and didn't say anything.

No puedo ayudarte con eso, estoy atado por el contrato.

I can't help you with that, I'm restricted by the contract.

Use with 'Estar'

This meaning almost always uses the verb 'estar' (to be) because it describes a temporary emotional state or a current restriction, not a permanent characteristic.

cortado

kor-TAH-dohkoɾˈtaðo

adjectiveB2general
Similar to 'atado', this term describes being rendered speechless or very reserved due to surprise, nervousness, or embarrassment in a specific situation.
A simple character standing alone, blushing deeply on their cheeks and looking down, indicating embarrassment.

Examples

Cuando le hicieron la pregunta, se quedó completamente cortado.

When they asked him the question, he was left completely tongue-tied (or speechless).

Estaba tan cortado que no pudo decir ni una palabra.

He was so embarrassed that he couldn't say a single word.

Using 'Estar'

This adjective describes a temporary state or feeling, so it is always used with the verb 'estar' (to be in a state), not 'ser' (to be permanent).

Confusing 'Cortado' and 'Cortar'

Mistake: “Using 'cortar' when you mean 'to be embarrassed' (e.g., 'Yo corto').”

Correction: Use the adjective form with 'estar': 'Yo estoy cortado' (I am embarrassed).

quedado

keh-DAH-dohkeˈðaðo

adjectiveB2general
This term refers to someone who is habitually reserved or quiet in social settings, often to the point of seeming shy or withdrawn.
A small, timid mouse peeking out from behind a large, bright yellow sunflower petal, showing shyness and reservation.

Examples

Mi primo es muy quedado; casi nunca habla en las fiestas.

My cousin is very reserved/shy; he hardly ever speaks at parties.

Ella prefiere quedarse en casa, es un poco quedada.

She prefers to stay at home, she's a bit of a wallflower.

Ese teléfono es tan quedado, ya nadie lo usa.

That phone is so old-fashioned/behind the times, nobody uses it anymore.

Ser vs. Estar

This adjective nearly always uses 'ser' because it describes a permanent personality trait or characteristic: 'Mi hermano es quedado' (My brother is a shy person).

Tímido vs. Vergonzoso vs. Apenado

Learners often confuse 'tímido', 'vergonzoso', and 'apenado'. 'Tímido' is a general personality trait, while 'vergonzoso' implies a tendency towards embarrassment. 'Apenado' describes a temporary feeling of shyness or awkwardness in a specific moment.

Related Translations

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