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.
To humiliate or disgrace someone. Stronger and more formal than 恥をかかせる.
He humiliated me in public.
I couldn't lift my face from deep shame.