Translation guide
Expresses doing something without shame, embarrassment, or hesitation, often with a negative or critical nuance in English. In Japanese, the concept is conveyed through adverbs, verbs, and descriptive phrases that emphasize boldness, lack of restraint, or disregard for social norms.
Describes acting in a way that shows no shame, often with a negative connotation.
Adverb meaning calmly, composedly, or shamelessly, often used when someone does something inappropriate without showing any sign of guilt.
彼は平然と嘘をついた。
He shamelessly told a lie.
Adverb from 厚かましい (impudent, shameless), often used to criticize someone's bold or cheeky behavior.
彼女は厚かましくもまたお金を借りに来た。
She shamelessly came to borrow money again.
Literally 'without a shy face', meaning brazenly or shamelessly. Slightly formal and often used in written language.
彼は臆面もなく自分の功績を自慢した。
He shamelessly boasted about his achievements.
From 図々しい (shameless, impudent), this adverb emphasizes pushy or brazen behavior, often in a negative sense.
彼はずうずうしくも割り込んできた。
He shamelessly cut in line.
Means 'without any sign of embarrassment'. Used when someone does something that would normally cause shame, but they show none.
彼は恥ずかしげもなく大声で歌った。
He shamelessly sang loudly.
Describes acting confidently or without hesitation, not necessarily negative. Can be positive when referring to self-promotion or assertiveness.
Means 'boldly' or 'with confidence'. Can be used positively when someone acts without shame in a justified or admirable way.
彼女は堂々と自分の意見を述べた。
She shamelessly (boldly) stated her opinion.
Means 'openly' or 'publicly', often used when someone does something without hiding it, even if it might be frowned upon.
彼は公然と規則を破った。
He shamelessly broke the rules.
Used when someone acts without moral restraint, often in contexts like cheating, lying, or exploiting others.
Means 'without feeling guilty' or 'unapologetically'. Often used when someone does something wrong but shows no remorse.
彼は悪びれずに遅刻した。
He shamelessly arrived late.
From the verb 開き直る, meaning to become defiant or brazen when caught or criticized. Implies a shift to shamelessness.
彼は開き直って嘘をつき続けた。
He shamelessly continued lying.
There is no single Japanese adverb that directly corresponds to 'shamelessly' in all contexts. Using 恥知らずに (はじしらずに) is possible but rare and sounds very strong or archaic. Instead, choose an expression based on the nuance: boldness, impudence, or lack of embarrassment.
平然と emphasizes a calm, composed exterior while doing something shameful, whereas 厚かましくも focuses on the impudence or cheekiness of the act itself.