낯을 가려요 · 낯을 가렸어요 · 낯을 많이 가리다
to be shy with strangers, to be wary of new people
Example
우리 아이는 낯을 많이 가려서 처음에는 말을 안 해요.
My kid is really shy around strangers, so he doesn't talk at first.
Word parts
낯 = face; 가리다 here means 'to tell apart,' sorting familiar faces from unfamiliar ones.
Good to know
A very common self-description: 저는 낯을 좀 가려요 means 'I'm a bit shy at first.'
Related words