diffidence
ความไม่มั่นใจ - Thai translation
Main Translations
- English: Diffidence
- Thai: ความไม่มั่นใจ (Kwām mâi man jai)
- Phonetic: Kwām mâi man jai
- Detailed Explanation: "ความไม่มั่นใจ" is the primary Thai translation for "diffidence," which refers to a lack of self-confidence or hesitation in expressing oneself, often in social or professional settings. Usage scenarios include everyday conversations about personal insecurities, such as in job interviews or public speaking. Emotionally, it carries a negative connotation, implying vulnerability or self-doubt, which can hinder personal growth. Semantic nuances highlight its subtlety; it's not outright fear but a quiet reluctance, making it common in psychological or self-help discussions. For SEO purposes, this term is often searched in contexts like "diffidence translation to Thai" for language learners.
- Thai: ความประหม่า (Kwām bpra-hmà)
- Phonetic: Kwām bpra-hmà
- Detailed Explanation: As a secondary translation, "ความประหม่า" emphasizes shyness or nervousness, particularly in formal or public situations. Usage scenarios might involve describing someone who avoids eye contact in meetings or social gatherings. Emotionally, it evokes a sense of awkwardness or modesty, with semantic nuances leaning toward temporary states rather than deep-seated traits. This word is popular in Thai media and literature, often in narratives about character development, and aligns with searches for "diffidence in Thai culture."
Overview of Usage Scenarios
Diffidence, as a noun, is primarily used to describe a state of self-doubt or modesty that affects interpersonal interactions. Its main usage scenarios include professional environments (e.g., business meetings where assertiveness is key), personal leisure activities (e.g., social events), formal occasions (e.g., speeches or ceremonies), and informal settings (e.g., casual conversations). In Thai contexts, it often appears in discussions about emotional intelligence or cultural values like humility, making it relevant for SEO queries such as "diffidence usage examples." Overall, it conveys subtle emotional barriers and is frequently explored in self-improvement or psychological contexts.
Example Sentences
Example Sentences in Different Scenarios
Business Scenario
- English: His diffidence in client meetings often prevents him from showcasing his true capabilities.
- Thai: ความไม่มั่นใจของเขาตอนประชุมลูกค้ามักทำให้เขาไม่สามารถแสดงศักยภาพที่แท้จริงได้ (Kwām mâi man jai khǎwng khăo dtôn bpà-chûm lûk-khâ mâk tam-dâi hǎi khăo mâi sǎa-mârt sĕe-ak-ká-thǎat thîi dtàt jìng dị̂w).
- Grammatical Breakdown: "His diffidence" (subject phrase) is a possessive noun phrase; "in client meetings" (prepositional phrase) modifies the noun; "often prevents him" (verb phrase) indicates frequency and action; "from showcasing his true capabilities" (infinitive phrase) explains the result.
- Structural Analysis: This is a complex sentence with a main clause ("His diffidence... prevents him") and a subordinate clause. It uses diffidence to highlight professional barriers, common in SEO-optimized content like "diffidence in business."
Leisure Scenario
- English: Her diffidence at social gatherings makes it hard for her to make new friends.
- Thai: ความประหม่าของเธอในงานสังสรรค์ทำให้เธอยากที่จะหาเพื่อนใหม่ (Kwām bpra-hmà khǎwng thoe nai ngân sǎng-sĕn tham-dâi hǎi thoe yâak thîi jà hǎa pêuan mài).
- Grammatical Breakdown: "Her diffidence" (subject); "at social gatherings" (prepositional phrase); "makes it hard" (verb phrase); "for her to make new friends" (infinitive clause).
- Structural Analysis: A compound sentence structure that links personal emotion to social outcomes, illustrating diffidence in relaxed settings for queries like "diffidence examples in daily life."
Formal Occasion
- English: The speaker's diffidence during the conference speech was evident in his hesitant tone.
- Thai: ความไม่มั่นใจของผู้พูดระหว่างการประชุมเป็นที่ชัดเจนในน้ำเสียงที่ลังเล (Kwām mâi man jai khǎwng phûu phûut rûang-gaan bpà-chûm bpen thîi châd jeen nai nám sĕe-ǎng thîi lăng-le).
- Grammatical Breakdown: "The speaker's diffidence" (subject); "during the conference speech" (prepositional phrase); "was evident" (verb phrase); "in his hesitant tone" (prepositional phrase).
- Structural Analysis: This declarative sentence emphasizes observable traits, suitable for formal contexts and SEO terms like "diffidence in formal settings."
Informal Occasion
- English: I noticed your diffidence when you avoided joining the group chat.
- Thai: ฉันสังเกตเห็นความประหม่าของคุณตอนที่คุณหลีกเลี่ยงการเข้าร่วมแชทกลุ่ม (Chăn sǎng-gèt hěn kwām bpra-hmà khǎwng khun dtôn thîi khun lĕ̀k-lĕ́iang gaan kâo-rûp chát klùm).
- Grammatical Breakdown: "I noticed" (subject-verb); "your diffidence" (object); "when you avoided" (subordinate clause); "joining the group chat" (gerund phrase).
- Structural Analysis: An informal, conversational structure that uses diffidence to describe everyday avoidance, aligning with "diffidence in informal scenarios."
Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types
Declarative Sentence
- English: Diffidence can be a barrier to success in competitive environments.
- Thai: ความไม่มั่นใจสามารถเป็นอุปสรรคต่อความสำเร็จในสภาพแวดล้อมที่แข่งขัน (Kwām mâi man jai sǎa-mârt bpen ùp-sŏn khroo kwām sǎm-rét nai sà-pâp wád-lòm thîi khâeng khǎn).
- Grammatical Breakdown: "Diffidence" (subject); "can be" (verb); "a barrier to success" (predicate nominative); "in competitive environments" (prepositional phrase).
- Structural Analysis: Straightforward declarative form, ideal for general statements in SEO content like "diffidence sentence examples."
Interrogative Sentence
- English: Do you think diffidence is holding you back in your career?
- Thai: คุณคิดไหมว่าความไม่มั่นใจกำลังขัดขวางคุณในอาชีพ (Khun khít mǎi wâa kwām mâi man jai gam-lang khàt-khwàng khun nai aa-chèep).
- Grammatical Breakdown: "Do you think" (interrogative phrase); "diffidence" (object); "is holding you back" (verb phrase); "in your career" (prepositional phrase).
- Structural Analysis: Question format to provoke reflection, useful for interactive content in "diffidence usage scenarios."
Imperative Sentence
- English: Overcome your diffidence and speak up in the discussion.
- Thai: เอาชนะความไม่มั่นใจของคุณและพูดออกมาในที่ประชุม (Ao chá-nă kwām mâi man jai khǎwng khun láe phûut òk mǎ nai thîi bpà-chûm).
- Grammatical Breakdown: "Overcome your diffidence" (imperative verb phrase); "and speak up" (coordinated action); "in the discussion" (prepositional phrase).
- Structural Analysis: Command structure for motivation, relevant to "diffidence in self-improvement."
Exclamatory Sentence
- English: What a surprise to see her diffidence vanish during the performance!
- Thai: น่าเหลือเชื่อที่ความประหม่าของเธอหายไปตอนแสดง (Nâa leua cheua thîi kwām bpra-hmà khǎwng thoe hǎy bpai dtôn sà-dǎng).
- Grammatical Breakdown: "What a surprise" (exclamatory opener); "to see her diffidence" (infinitive phrase); "vanish during the performance" (verb phrase).
- Structural Analysis: Exclamatory tone for emphasis, fitting for emotional narratives in "diffidence examples."
Example Sentences of Different Difficulties
Simple Sentence
- English: Diffidence hurts progress.
- Thai: ความไม่มั่นใจทำลายความก้าวหน้า (Kwām mâi man jai tam-laai kwām gào-ná).
- Grammatical Breakdown: "Diffidence" (subject); "hurts" (verb); "progress" (object).
- Structural Analysis: Basic subject-verb-object structure, beginner-friendly for "diffidence simple sentences."
Intermediate Sentence
- English: Despite his diffidence, he managed to lead the team effectively.
- Thai: แม้จะมีความไม่มั่นใจแต่เขาสามารถนำทีมได้อย่างมีประสิทธิภาพ (Mâe jà mee kwām mâi man jai dtàe khăo sǎa-mârt nam tiim dâi yàang mee bpra-sit-thi-phâp).
- Grammatical Breakdown: "Despite his diffidence" (subordinate clause); "he managed" (main clause); "to lead the team effectively" (infinitive phrase).
- Structural Analysis: Combines contrast and action, suitable for intermediate learners in "diffidence intermediate examples."
Complex Sentence
- English: Because diffidence stems from past failures, it's essential to build self-confidence through small achievements.
- Thai: เนื่องจากความไม่มั่นใจเกิดจากความล้มเหลวในอดีต จึงจำเป็นต้องสร้างความมั่นใจด้วยความสำเร็จเล็กๆ น้อยๆ (Neung jàk kwām mâi man jai gèrt jàk kwām lom-lêua nai a-dìt, jeung jà-mèe tǎng sǎa-dtā kwām man jai dûai kwām sǎm-rét lék-lék nôy-nôy).
- Grammatical Breakdown: "Because diffidence stems from past failures" (dependent clause); "it's essential" (main clause); "to build self-confidence through small achievements" (infinitive phrase).
- Structural Analysis: Multi-clause structure for advanced use, ideal for "diffidence complex sentences."
Related Phrases and Expressions
Synonyms/Near Synonyms:
- Shyness – Often used interchangeably with diffidence to describe social reticence, especially in "diffidence synonyms" searches.
- TIMIDITY – Refers to a lack of courage, similar to diffidence but with a focus on fear in specific situations.
Antonyms:
- Confidence – The opposite of diffidence, implying self-assurance and boldness, commonly contrasted in motivational content.
- Boldness – Represents fearless action, used to highlight what diffidence lacks in professional or social contexts.
Common Collocations:
- Overcome diffidence – Used in self-help scenarios to mean conquering insecurities, popular in "diffidence collocations."
- Show diffidence – Refers to displaying modesty or hesitation, often in cultural or interpersonal discussions.
Cultural Background and Usage Habits
Cultural Background:
- Cultural Point 1: In Thai culture, diffidence is often linked to the value of "kreng jai" (a form of consideration and modesty), where expressing self-doubt is seen as respectful. This contrasts with Western views, where diffidence might be viewed negatively, making it a key topic in cross-cultural communication searches like "diffidence in Thai culture."
Usage Habits:
- Habit 1: Diffidence is frequently used in formal and educational contexts in Thailand, such as in literature or psychology classes, with high popularity among young adults. It's less common in casual speech but appears in media, with applicable groups including students and professionals seeking personal development.
Grammar Explanation
- Grammatical Function: "Diffidence" functions as a noun, typically serving as the subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase in sentences (e.g., subject in "Diffidence hinders growth").
- Tense and Voice: As a noun, diffidence does not change with tense. However, it can appear in phrases with verbs that vary (e.g., "is overcoming diffidence" in active voice). In passive constructions, it might be part of a larger sentence like "Diffidence was addressed in the workshop."
References
Etymology and History:
Diffidence originates from the Latin "diffidentia," meaning "distrust" or "lack of faith," evolving in English during the 15th century to denote shyness or modesty. Its history reflects shifts in social norms, from medieval distrust to modern psychological interpretations, as seen in SEO topics like "diffidence etymology."
Literary References:
- From Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice": "His diffidence had once more overthrown him." (Source: Chapter 36) – This highlights diffidence as a character flaw in social dynamics.
- From modern literature, such as in George Orwell's essays: "Diffidence is the enemy of action." (Paraphrased from various works) – Illustrating its role in personal barriers.