Translation guide
How to express being embarrassed, humiliated, or outdone in Japanese, from mild awkwardness to deep disgrace.
Expressing that someone feels ashamed or embarrassed, often due to a mistake or social blunder.
Expressing that someone else's superior performance makes you look bad or feel inferior.
Expressing a severe loss of reputation or public shaming.
Literally 'to expose one's shame', meaning to be publicly humiliated or to make a spectacle of oneself.
彼は会議で恥をさらした。
He was put to shame in the meeting.
The English phrase 'be put to shame' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. It is usually expressed through phrases about embarrassment, losing face, or being outdone. Translating word-for-word will sound unnatural.
恥をかく is used for everyday embarrassment, while 面目を失う is more serious and formal, implying a loss of honor or reputation.
A common phrase meaning 'to embarrass oneself' or 'to be put to shame'. It focuses on the feeling of shame from one's own actions.
人前で転んで恥をかいた。
I tripped in front of everyone and was put to shame.
A more formal expression meaning 'to lose face' or 'to be disgraced'. Often used in professional or serious contexts.
彼はその失敗で面目を失った。
He was put to shame by that failure.
An adjective meaning 'embarrassing' or 'ashamed'. Used to describe the feeling directly, often in first-person.
そんなこと言われると恥ずかしい。
I'm put to shame when you say things like that.
Literally 'to smear mud on someone's face', meaning to bring shame or disgrace upon someone, often by outdoing them publicly.
彼の素晴らしい演奏に、私は顔に泥を塗られた気分だ。
His amazing performance put me to shame.
A verb meaning 'to be inferior in comparison' or 'to pale in comparison'. Used when something or someone seems less impressive next to another.
彼女の隣に立つと見劣りしてしまう。
Standing next to her, I'm put to shame.
Means 'cannot compete with' or 'is no match for'. Implies being outclassed, leading to a sense of shame.
彼の知識には敵わないよ。
I'm put to shame by his knowledge.
A noun meaning 'humiliation' or 'disgrace'. Often used in the phrase 屈辱を味わう (to taste humiliation).
彼は屈辱を味わった。
He was put to shame (experienced humiliation).