Word · Frequency #23362
diffidence
羞怯；缺乏自信
The state of being timid, shy, or lacking self-confidence; reticence or self-effacement.
- 1.
The state of being diffident, timid or shy; reticence or self-effacement.
羞怯；缺乏自信
无自信；畏缩；羞怯
In use
Her diffidence prevented her from speaking up during the meeting.
Despite his diffidence, he was an excellent writer.
She tried to overcome her diffidence by taking a public speaking class.
diffidence in sth
介词 in 后接缺乏自信的方面，也可用 about。
His diffidence in public speaking prevented him from pursuing a political career.
他在公开演讲方面的缺乏自信阻止了他追求政治生涯。
show diffidence
动词 show 常与 diffidence 搭配，表示流露不自信。
She showed diffidence when asked to lead the team.
当被要求领导团队时，她表现出了羞怯。
Common mistakes
He is diffidence.He is diffident.
diffidence是名词，不能用作形容词。表示‘缺乏自信的’应用形容词形式diffident。
His difference in speaking English is obvious.His diffidence in speaking English is obvious.
difference意为‘差异’，diffidence意为‘缺乏自信’。拼写混淆导致语义错误。
He has diffidence in his ability.He has confidence in his ability.
diffidence表示缺乏自信，而confidence表示自信。此处需要表达‘有信心’，故应用confidence。
Connections
Collocations
- overcome one's diffidence
- 克服羞怯
- She worked hard to overcome her diffidence in public.她努力克服在公开场合的羞怯。
- with some diffidence
- 带着几分羞怯
- He spoke with some diffidence about his achievements.他带着几分羞怯谈到自己的成就。
- diffidence about
- 对……缺乏自信
- His diffidence about his English made him avoid conversations.他对自己的英语缺乏自信，因此回避交谈。
- natural diffidence
- 天生的羞怯
- Her natural diffidence kept her from seeking the spotlight.她天生的羞怯使她不愿成为焦点。
- diffidence in
- 在……方面的羞怯
- His diffidence in meetings was mistaken for disinterest.他在会议上的羞怯被误认为是不感兴趣。
Learner notes
Memory Tip
diffidence 以 dif 开头，和 confidence（自信）相反，联想为“缺乏自信”，即羞怯。
Context & Register
语域：formal 常见场景：正式写作、文学叙述、书面语 diffidence 通常用于正式或书面语境，指羞怯或缺乏自信，口语中更常说 shyness 或 lack of confidence。
Pronunciation & Spelling
这些词都以 -dence 结尾，容易和 diffidence 混淆。它们没有一个与 diffidence /ˈdifidəns/ 完全押韵：confidence /ˈkɒnfɪdəns/、evidence /ˈɛvɪdəns/、residence /ˈrɛzɪdəns/、incidence /ˈɪnsɪdəns/ 的重音都在第一个音节，但重读元音不同；coincidence /kəʊˈɪnsɪdəns/ 的重音在 -in- 上；difference /ˈdɪfərəns/ 只在前半段拼写相似，结尾发音完全不同。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.