Translation guide
Expressing a strong feeling of shame, humiliation, or mortification in Japanese. The most natural ways range from common phrases like 恥ずかしい to more intense expressions like 穴があったら入りたい.
To express a personal, internal feeling of strong embarrassment or shame, often in social situations.
The most common and versatile adjective for 'embarrassed' or 'ashamed'. Can be used for mild to strong embarrassment.
I tripped in front of everyone and was deeply embarrassed.
Emphasizes that the embarrassment is unbearable. Literally 'so embarrassed I can't stand it'.
I made a mistake and was so embarrassed I couldn't stand it.
Idiomatic expression meaning 'I wish I could sink through the floor' or 'I want to crawl into a hole'. Used for intense embarrassment.
I said such a thing, I feel like I want to crawl into a hole.
Literally 'red face', a more formal or literary term for blushing from embarrassment. Often used in writing.
He blushed deeply and looked down.
To describe a situation or action that makes someone else feel deeply embarrassed or humiliated.
To express a very strong, often lasting sense of shame or mortification, beyond simple embarrassment.
恥ずかしい is the everyday word for embarrassment, from mild to strong. 屈辱的 implies a deeper wound to one's pride or dignity, often from being treated unfairly or publicly shamed.
Speaking in public is embarrassing.
Being called a liar by him was humiliating.
Avoid directly translating 'deep embarrassment' as 深い恥ずかしさ. While grammatically possible, it sounds unnatural. Use the phrases above instead.
I felt deep embarrassment when I realized my mistake.
The deep embarrassment was written all over his face.
Literary style
To humiliate or disgrace someone. Stronger and more formal than 恥をかかせる.
He humiliated me in public.
羞恥心から顔を上げられなかった。
I couldn't lift my face from deep shame.