Translation guide
The feeling of being annoyed, disappointed, or embarrassed because you have failed or been humiliated. Japanese expresses this through nouns for regret/disappointment, verbs for feeling mortified, and phrases describing wounded pride.
Express personal frustration or regret over a mistake or failure.
The most direct equivalent, expressing vexation, regret, or frustration at an undesired outcome, often with a sense of personal failure.
試合に負けて悔しさでいっぱいだ。
I'm full of chagrin after losing the match.
彼は自分のミスに悔しさを感じた。
He felt chagrin at his own mistake.
Deep regret or chagrin over something that cannot be helped, often used in formal or serious contexts.
優勝を逃し、無念の思いでいっぱいです。
Having missed the championship, I am filled with chagrin.
Disappointment, but can imply chagrin when the disappointment is personal. Less intense than 悔しさ.
自分の不注意による事故で、残念さが募った。
Chagrin grew over the accident caused by my own carelessness.
Express the shame or mortification felt after being embarrassed in front of others.
Literally 'embarrassing feeling', used to describe the chagrin of being humiliated or making a social mistake.
人前で転んで、恥ずかしい思いをした。
I felt chagrin when I tripped in front of everyone.
Humiliation, mortification. Stronger than chagrin, used when one's pride is deeply wounded.
公の場で批判され、屈辱を感じた。
I felt chagrin at being criticized in public.
A formal expression of losing face, feeling ashamed or chagrined for failing to meet expectations.
Describe the action of feeling chagrin using common verb expressions.
To show or feel chagrin, vexation. Often used for visible frustration.
彼は負けて悔しがっていた。
He was chagrined at losing.
To have a mortifying/chagrining experience.
また同じミスをして、悔しい思いをした。
I felt chagrin at making the same mistake again.
悔しさ (kuyashisa) implies vexation and frustration, often with a desire to do better. 残念 (zannen) is general disappointment, less personal. 無念 (munen) is deep regret, often used in formal or tragic contexts.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all nuances of 'chagrin'. Using 悔しさ for social embarrassment may sound odd; use 恥ずかしい思い instead. Avoid literal translations like チャグリン.
悔しいことに、財布を忘れたことに気づいた。
Much to my chagrin, I realized I had forgotten my wallet.
ライバルが勝ったとき、彼女は悔しさを隠せなかった。
She couldn't hide her chagrin when her rival won.
ご期待に添えず、面目ない。
I am chagrined that I couldn't meet your expectations.