Wallflower

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual
Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci

Meaning: A shy person who stays on the sidelines at social events

壁花、不善社交的人
Una persona tímida que se queda al margen en eventos sociales
壁の花、社交の場で引っ込み思案な人
벽꽃, 사교 자리에서 소극적인 사람

Someone who doesn't participate in social activities, staying against the wall rather than dancing or mingling.

不参与社交活动、宁愿靠墙站着也不跳舞或交际的人。
Alguien que no participa en actividades sociales, quedándose contra la pared en lugar de bailar o socializar.
社交活動に参加せず、ダンスや交流をせずに壁際に立っている人。
사교 활동에 참여하지 않고, 춤추거나 어울리지 않고 벽에 기대어 서 있는 사람.

Examples

  1. Don't be such a wallflower!
    别当壁花了!
    ¡No seas tan tímido!
    壁の花になるなよ!
    그렇게 구석에만 있지 마!
  2. I was a wallflower in high school.
    我高中时是个壁花。
    Era un introvertido en el instituto.
    高校時代は壁の花だった。
    고등학교 때는 소극적인 편이었어.
  3. Stop being a wallflower and come dance.
    别当壁花了,过来跳舞。
    Deja de ser tan tímido y ven a bailar.
    壁の花はやめて踊りに来て。
    구석에 있지 말고 와서 춤추자.
  4. Perks of Being a Wallflower.
    《壁花少年》。
    Las ventajas de ser un marginado.
    ウォールフラワー。
    월플라워.

Pronunciation

/ˈwɔːlflaʊər/

Usage Guide

Context: shyness, parties, personality

Tone: can be sympathetic or encouraging

✓ Do Say

  • Wallflower.
    壁花
    Tímido
    壁の花
    벽꽃.
  • A bit of a wallflower.
    有点像壁花
    Un poco tímido
    ちょっと壁の花
    좀 소극적인 편이야.
  • Don't be a wallflower.
    别当壁花
    No seas tímido
    壁の花になるな
    벽꽃이 되지 마.

✗ Don't Say

  • Can be sympathetic
    可以是同情
    Puede ser comprensivo
    同情的にも使える
    동정의 뉘앙스가 있을 수 있음
  • Can encourage participation
    可以鼓励参与
    Puede animar a participar
    参加を促すこともある
    참여를 격려하는 뜻으로도 쓰임

Common Mistakes

Origin & History

From flowers growing on walls, extended to people who stand against walls at dances rather than participating.

Etymology: From standing against walls at dances

First recorded: Common expression from 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: The Perks of Being a Wallflower; Coming-of-age stories

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking countries.

Variations

WallflowerA wallflowerBit of a wallflower

Related Phrases

More From This Topic

Bloke ★★★★★ Man, guy Lad ★★★★★ Boy, young man; one of the boys Catch Up ★★★★★ A meeting to exchange news; to meet and share updates Get-together ★★★★★ A casual social gathering Night Out ★★★★★ An evening of social entertainment Pub ★★★★★ Public house; British bar/tavern
X / Twitter WhatsApp Facebook

More from Social Life

Practice "Wallflower" on WordLoci

Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free