Translation guide
The English word "disgrace" covers a range of meanings from personal shame and loss of honor to public scandal and social ruin. Japanese expresses these ideas through nouns, verbs, and adjectives that emphasize different aspects: internal shame, external dishonor, or the act of bringing shame upon someone or something.
Expressing a state of disgrace felt by an individual, often involving a loss of self-respect or honor.
The most common word for 'shame' or 'disgrace'. It refers to the feeling of embarrassment or dishonor from one's own actions or situation.
彼は自分の失敗を恥だと思った。
He considered his failure a disgrace.
Literally 'dishonor' or 'disgrace'. It emphasizes the loss of reputation or good name, often used in formal contexts.
その事件は彼の不名誉となった。
The incident brought disgrace upon him.
Means 'humiliation' or 'mortification'. It conveys a deep sense of disgrace accompanied by resentment or bitterness.
彼は公の場で屈辱を味わった。
He suffered disgrace in public.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'complete loss of face' or 'utter disgrace'. It is used when someone's reputation is completely ruined.
あんな失敗をして、面目丸つぶれだ。
After a failure like that, I'm completely disgraced.
Referring to someone or something that brings disgrace to a group, family, or institution.
A noun meaning 'disgrace' or 'embarrassment' to one's family or group. It implies that the person's actions have exposed them to public shame.
彼は家族の恥さらしだ。
He is a disgrace to his family.
Similar to 恥さらし, meaning 'disgrace' or 'stain on one's honor'. It is often used in the context of bringing shame to a group or organization.
A somewhat literary term meaning 'disgrace' or 'blot on one's name'. It suggests a lasting stain on one's reputation.
Describing the action of disgracing someone or something.
A verb meaning 'to disgrace', 'to humiliate', or 'to put to shame'. It can be used for both personal and public contexts.
彼は敵を辱めた。
He disgraced his enemy.
A causative phrase meaning 'to make someone feel ashamed' or 'to disgrace someone'. It is commonly used in everyday speech.
彼は私に恥をかかせた。
He disgraced me.
Means 'to defile' or 'to disgrace'. It is often used when talking about sullying one's honor or reputation.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to bring disgrace' or 'to smear someone's reputation'. Literally 'to smear mud'.
Describing the condition of having lost favor or respect, often in a social or professional context.
A phrase meaning 'to lose face' or 'to be disgraced'. It emphasizes the loss of social standing.
彼はその失敗で面目を失った。
He was disgraced by that failure.
Means 'downfall' or 'fall from power'. It is used when someone loses their position or status due to disgrace.
A noun meaning 'stigma' or 'bad reputation'. It refers to the disgraceful label attached to someone.
恥 (haji) is the general feeling of shame or embarrassment, often internal. 不名誉 (fumeiyo) is more about external dishonor and loss of reputation. 屈辱 (kutsujoku) implies a deeper, more bitter humiliation, often from being treated contemptuously.
English phrases like 'It's a disgrace!' are often best translated with expressions like 恥知らずだ (shameful) or 許せない (unforgivable) rather than a direct noun equivalent. Context is key.
そんな行為は学校の面汚しだ。
Such behavior is a disgrace to the school.
The scandal became a disgrace to his name.
He disgraced the family name.
彼の不正は会社に泥を塗った。
His misconduct disgraced the company.
大臣は汚職で失脚した。
The minister fell into disgrace due to corruption.
He was branded with disgrace.