Translation guide
The feeling of deep embarrassment, shame, or humiliation, often from a social blunder or loss of dignity. In Japanese, this is expressed through words for shame, embarrassment, and regret, with nuances depending on the cause and social context.
Express a strong feeling of embarrassment or shame, often from a personal mistake or awkward situation.
The most direct and common noun for the feeling of embarrassment or shame. It can range from mild to strong, but is often used for personal, internal feelings.
自分の失敗を思い出すと、恥ずかしさでいっぱいになる。
When I remember my mistake, I'm filled with mortification.
A stronger, more formal word for humiliation or mortification, often involving a loss of dignity or pride in front of others. Used for serious social disgrace.
人前で怒鳴られて、屈辱を感じた。
I felt mortified when I was yelled at in front of everyone.
A formal, literary term for shame or mortification. Rare in everyday speech, but may appear in writing or psychological contexts.
彼は羞恥に耐えられず、その場を去った。
Unable to bear the mortification, he left the scene.
Describe the state of being mortified or feeling deeply embarrassed.
A common phrase meaning 'so embarrassed I can't stand it'. Expresses intense mortification in a natural, conversational way.
スピーチで言葉を忘れて、恥ずかしくてたまらなかった。
I forgot my words during the speech and was absolutely mortified.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'I wish I could sink through the floor' or 'I wanted to crawl into a hole'. Perfectly captures the feeling of mortification.
みんなの前で転んで、穴があったら入りたい気分だった。
I tripped in front of everyone and felt mortified (wanted to crawl into a hole).
Literally 'to blush', but often used to describe the physical reaction of mortification. Can imply a strong sense of shame.
彼の失礼な発言に、私は赤面した。
I blushed with mortification at his rude remark.
Refer to the embarrassing incident or mistake that caused the feeling.
A blunder or failure, especially one that causes loss of face or embarrassment. Often used in business or formal contexts.
会議での失態を思い出すと、今でも恥ずかしい。
I still feel mortified when I recall my blunder at the meeting.
A general word for shame or disgrace. Can refer to the feeling or the cause. Often used in set phrases.
Express mortification caused by someone else's actions, especially when made to look foolish.
To lose face; to be disgraced or humiliated. A formal expression often used when one's reputation or dignity is damaged.
彼は公の場で面目を失い、深く傷ついた。
He lost face in public and was deeply mortified.
To be embarrassed or humiliated; literally 'to write shame'. A common, slightly informal phrase for experiencing mortification due to a mistake or someone's actions.
彼女の前で恥をかいて、しばらく立ち直れなかった。
I was mortified in front of her and couldn't recover for a while.
恥ずかしさ (hazukashisa) is a general feeling of embarrassment that can be mild or strong, often from personal awkwardness. 屈辱 (kutsujoku) is a heavier, more formal term for humiliation, typically involving a loss of dignity in a social or public context. Use 屈辱 when the mortification is tied to being degraded or disgraced by others.
人前で歌うのは恥ずかしさを感じるが、屈辱ではない。
Singing in public makes me feel embarrassed, but not humiliated.
Avoid directly translating 'mortification' as 死 (death) or 苦行 (asceticism). In modern English, 'mortification' almost always refers to extreme embarrassment, not physical death or religious self-denial. Use the expressions above to convey the emotional state.
He considered his actions a mortification.