Japanese word

恥

Pronunciation

Romajihaji

Meaning

  • nounshame

Example

約束を破るのは恥です。yaku soku o yabu ru no wa haji de su

Breaking a promise is shameful.

Illustration for 恥 (shame)

More examples

子どもの前で恥をかかないように、言葉遣いに気をつけます。ko do mo no mae de haji o ka ka na i yō ni koto ba zuka i ni ki o tsu ke ma su

I watch my language so that I do not embarrass myself in front of children.

Core concept

Centers on the painful awareness that one's behavior or situation falls below a social or moral standard, whether felt privately or judged by others.

Common phrases

  • 恥を知るhaji o shi ru

    have a sense of shame

  • 恥をかくhaji o ka ku

    be embarrassed

  • 恥をさらすhaji o sa ra su

    expose one's shame

  • 恥を忍ぶhaji o shino bu

    endure humiliation

Similar words

羞恥shūchi: A strong feeling of shame about conduct or a situation judged improper.
恥辱chijoku: A serious loss of honor or reputation caused by conduct or an event.
屈辱kutsujoku: A painful lowering of dignity through insult, defeat, or forced submission.
不名誉fumeiyo: A state in which conduct or events cause a loss of honor and public respect.

Definition in Japanese

人に知られると面目を失うと感じる気持ちや、その原因となる行為。hito ni shi ra re ru to men boku o ushina u to kan ji ru ki mo chi ya so no gen in to na ru kō i

Word origin

The native Japanese noun 恥 (haji, "shame") is historically linked to the verb 恥づ (hazu, "to feel shame"), whose modern form is 恥じる (hajiru, "to feel ashamed").

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 恥 (haji, "shame") can describe both an inner feeling and a public loss of face, so context determines whether shame, embarrassment, or disgrace fits best.

Other meanings

  • embarrassmentnoun
  • disgracenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word