难以启齿
nán yǐ qǐ chǐ
too embarrassing to bring up
Character by character
难nán
hard
hard
以yǐ
to
to
启qǐ
open
open
齿chǐ
teeth
teeth
Example
借钱这种事,我实在难以启齿。
Asking to borrow money? I just can't bring myself to say it.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
For awkward requests or shameful matters.
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