Japanese word

恥ずかしい

Pronunciation

Romajihazukashii

Meaning

  • i-adjectiveembarrassed

Example

みんなの前で失敗して、恥ずかしいです。mi n na no mae de ship pai shi te ha zu ka shi i de su

I am embarrassed because I made a mistake in front of everyone.

Illustration for 恥ずかしい (embarrassed)

More examples

私はみんなの前で話すのが恥ずかしいです。watashi wa mi n na no mae de hana su no ga ha zu ka shi i de su

I am embarrassed to speak in front of everyone.

人前で歌うのは、少し恥ずかしいです。hito mae de uta u no wa suko shi ha zu ka shi i de su

Singing in front of people is a little embarrassing for me.

Core concept

Expresses the uneasy self-awareness that comes from being seen in an awkward or inadequate situation.

Common phrases

  • 恥ずかしい思いをするha zu ka shi i omo i o su ru

    feel embarrassed

  • 恥ずかしい話ha zu ka shi i hanashi

    embarrassing story

Similar words

照れくさいterekusai: Describes feeling shy when attention or praise makes a person feel exposed.
きまり悪いkimariwarui: Describes feeling embarrassed when an awkward situation leaves a person unsure how to act.

Definition in Japanese

失敗や人からの注目によって、きまりが悪く感じられるさま。ship pai ya hito ka ra no chū moku ni yo tte ki ma ri ga waru ku kan ji ra re ru sa ma

Word origin

恥ずかしい (hazukashii) is a native Japanese adjective derived from the older form はづかし (hazukashi), whose meaning included shame and a sense of inferiority.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 恥ずかしい (hazukashii) is often used after a mistake or unexpected compliment because both situations can make a speaker feel unusually exposed.

Other meanings

  • ashamedi-adjective
  • embarrassingi-adjective
  • shyi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 恥ずかしさhazukashisaembarrassmentnoun
  • 恥ずかしがるhazukashigaruact shyverb

Word lists with this word