What it means
خجالتی (khejâlati) describes a person who is shy, easily embarrassed, or prone to blushing. The base noun خجالت (khejâlat) comes from the Arabic root خجل, and the Persian suffix ـی turns it into an adjective meaning “of the type that feels shame or embarrassment.” In everyday spoken Persian, خجالتی is very common and slightly warmer in tone than its close synonym کمرو (kamru). Where کمرو focuses on social withdrawal, خجالتی emphasizes the feeling of embarrassment or self-consciousness itself.
How to use it
- چرا اینقدر خجالتیای؟ (cherâ inghadr khejâlati-i?) “Why are you so shy?”
- اون بچهی خجالتیه، زود سرخ میشه. (un bache-ye khejâlatieh, zud sorkh mishe.) “That child is easily embarrassed, she blushes quickly.”
- خجالتی بودم و نتونستم چیزی بگم. (khejâlati budam o natunestam chizi begam.) “I was shy and could not say anything.”
- جلوی همه خجالتی میشه. (jelo-ye hame khejâlati mishe.) “He gets embarrassed in front of everyone.”
Cultural note
In Persian social etiquette, خجالت carries both negative and positive connotations. Saying someone has no خجالت (bi-khejâlat) is a serious insult, implying shamelessness. At the same time, being too خجالتی can be seen as an obstacle in social or professional life. The word appears frequently in everyday conversation and in traditional Persian proverbs about modesty and honor.