心虚 (xīn xū) — to have a guilty conscience; to lack self-confidence (due to awareness of one's shortcomings)

Définition

心虚 describes an uneasy, inward feeling — usually a guilty conscience (about something you did) or a diffident self-doubt (about your ability). The two senses share the same unease but differ in cause: wrongdoing vs. lack of confidence.

adjective
to have a guilty conscienceto lack self-confidence (due to awareness of one's shortcomings)

Exemples

  • 心虚
    Tā shuō huà shí yǎn shén duǒ shǎn, míng xiǎn shì xīn xū le.
    He avoided eye contact while speaking — clearly he had a guilty conscience.
  • 心虚
    Dì yī cì shàng tái yǎn jiǎng, tā xīn lǐ hěn xīn xū, dàn yìng zhe tóu pí jiǎng wán le.
    The first time he gave a speech on stage, he felt very insecure inside, but he forced himself to finish.
  • 心虚
    Zuò zéi de rén zǒng shì xīn xū, tīng dào jǐng dí jiù jǐn zhāng.
    Thieves always have a guilty conscience — they get nervous when they hear a siren.
Apparaît dans

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