Wallflower
Meaning: A shy person who stays on the sidelines at social events
Someone who doesn't participate in social activities, staying against the wall rather than dancing or mingling.
Examples
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Not always negative—can be sympathetic
- Universal expression
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
Related Phrases
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