Translation guide
The feeling of shame or embarrassment about something you did, something about yourself, or something that happened. Japanese has several words and expressions that map to 'ashamed', but they differ in nuance, cause, and intensity.
Expressing personal shame or regret over something you did wrong, a mistake, or a failure.
The most common and general word for 'ashamed' or 'embarrassed'. It can cover a wide range of situations from mild embarrassment to deep shame. Often used for personal mistakes or awkward situations.
そんなことをして、恥ずかしくないの？
Aren't you ashamed of doing such a thing?
失敗して恥ずかしかった。
I was ashamed of my mistake.
A formal expression of shame, often used when you feel you have lost face or failed to meet expectations. Common in business or serious apologies.
ご迷惑をおかけして、面目ない限りです。
I am deeply ashamed for causing you trouble.
Literally 'I want to crawl into a hole'. A vivid, colloquial expression for feeling extremely embarrassed or ashamed, often used when you've made a fool of yourself.
人前で転んで、穴があったら入りたい気分だった。
I tripped in front of everyone and felt so ashamed I wanted to crawl into a hole.
Expresses a mix of shame, disappointment, and self-pity. It's used when you feel pathetic or miserable about your own actions or situation.
また同じ間違いをして、自分が情けない。
I made the same mistake again; I'm ashamed of myself.
Feeling shame about something inherent to yourself, such as your appearance, background, or a situation you're in.
Again the most common word. It can be used for personal traits or circumstances that make you feel self-conscious.
自分の英語が下手で恥ずかしい。
I'm ashamed of my poor English.
To feel inferior or ashamed because of a perceived disadvantage or shortcoming. It implies a sense of being less than others.
学歴に引け目を感じている。
I feel ashamed of my educational background.
Feeling embarrassed or ashamed because of someone else's behavior, often a family member or close associate.
Can also be used when you feel ashamed for someone else's actions, especially if they are close to you.
弟の行儀が悪くて恥ずかしかった。
I was ashamed of my younger brother's bad manners.
Expressing that someone lacks shame or should feel ashamed.
A noun/adjective meaning 'shameless' or 'brazen'. It's a strong criticism of someone who has no sense of shame.
あんなことをしておいて、よく平気でいられるね。恥知らずだ。
How can you be so calm after doing that? You're shameless.
An imperative phrase meaning 'Shame on you!' or 'Have you no shame?'. Used to scold someone.
そんな嘘をつくなんて、恥を知れ！
Shame on you for telling such a lie!
恥ずかしい (hazukashii) is 'ashamed/embarrassed' and often carries a negative connotation. 照れる (tereru) is 'to feel shy/awkward' in a positive or neutral way, like when receiving a compliment. Don't use 照れる for serious shame.
褒められて照れた。
I felt shy when I was praised.
While 私は恥ずかしい is grammatically correct, it can sound overly dramatic or self-focused. Often, Japanese speakers use more contextual phrases or omit the subject. For everyday embarrassment, 恥ずかしい alone or with a reason is more natural.
自分のしたことを恥ずかしいとは思わない。
I'm not ashamed of what I did.
Feeling guilty or ashamed, often with a sense of having a guilty conscience about something you're hiding.
彼に隠し事があるのが後ろめたい。
I feel ashamed that I'm keeping a secret from him.
Literally 'fire comes out of my face'. An idiom for extreme embarrassment, often used when someone else's actions make you blush with shame.
子供が大声で叫んで、顔から火が出る思いだった。
My child screamed loudly, and I was so embarrassed I could have died.