verlegenheid

Verlegenheid is a Dutch noun that denotes the feeling of embarrassment or shyness in social situations. It can refer to a temporary state triggered by an awkward remark, a stumble, or the perception of being watched, as well as to a more persistent tendency to feel self-conscious or hesitant around others. The term is widely used in everyday language and psychology to describe social inhibition.

Physiological and behavioral signs of verlegenheid include blushing, avoiding eye contact, stammering or uncertain speech, reduced body orientation toward others, and a wish to withdraw from the situation. The emotion arises from concerns about negative evaluation, social judgment, or making a poor impression. Cultural norms influence how openly individuals display verlegenheid and how quickly they seek help.

Verlegenheid is related to, but distinct from, general shyness and from clinical social anxiety disorder. Shyness is a longer-standing temperament that can coexist with verlegenheid, whereas social anxiety implies more pervasive fear and impairment. Embarrassment as a self-conscious emotion often fades once the situation passes; verlegenheid can become a barrier to participation if sustained.

Coping with verlegenheid includes gradual exposure to feared situations, cognitive strategies to challenge negative thoughts, and relaxation techniques. In some cases, social skills training or psychotherapy may be helpful, especially when verlegenheid causes significant distress or avoidance. The word is formed from the adjective verlegen (meaning shy or embarrassed) with the suffix -heid, indicating a state or condition.