About
The character "腆" is structured with the radical "月" denoting flesh or body, combined with "典" which functions as a phonetic element and carries associations with ceremony or standard. Its original meaning centered on the plumpness or richness of food, leading to uses involving ceremonial offerings of ample provisions. This concrete sense later broadened to encompass the act of presenting oneself with abundance, and eventually, in modern compounds such as "腼腆", it contributes to denoting behavioral traits like modesty or bashfulness, marking a shift from tangible physical qualities to abstract aspects of demeanor.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他很腼腆，不爱说话。
那个男孩腼腆地笑了笑。
她第一次登台，显得有点腼腆。
他居然腆着脸又来借钱。
老板腆着肚子走进了会议室。
他总是一副腼腆的样子，其实很健谈。
大家别客气，腆腹而食才能尽兴。
他心中羞愧，却不得不腆颜相求。