Translation guide
To make someone feel ashamed or lose the respect of others, often publicly.
To cause someone to lose face or feel deeply embarrassed in front of others.
Literally 'to make someone wear shame'. A common and natural way to say you humiliated someone by causing them embarrassment.
彼はみんなの前で私に恥をかかせた。
He humiliated me in front of everyone.
Means 'to insult' or 'to humiliate' by treating someone with contempt. Stronger and more formal than 恥をかかせる.
To deeply wound someone's pride or self-esteem, often through words or actions.
Means 'to hurt someone's pride/self-esteem'. A natural way to express emotional humiliation.
彼の批判は彼女の自尊心を傷つけた。
His criticism humiliated her.
To humiliate someone by beating them badly in a competition or argument.
There is no single Japanese verb that perfectly matches 'humiliate' in all contexts. Using 恥をかかせる is the safest general option, but consider the nuance you want to convey.
恥をかかせる focuses on causing embarrassment or loss of face, while 侮辱する implies active contempt or insult. 侮辱する is stronger and more formal.
彼の言葉は私を侮辱した。
His words humiliated me.
Literally 'to make someone lose face'. A formal expression often used in business or serious contexts.
その失敗は彼の面目を失わせた。
That failure humiliated him.
Means 'to look down on' or 'to despise'. Implies a humiliating attitude of superiority.
彼はいつも私を見下すような言い方をする。
He always speaks to me in a humiliating way.
A formal and strong word for 'to humiliate', often used in literary or serious contexts.
彼は屈辱を与えられた。
He was humiliated.
Means 'to beat someone down' or 'to crush'. Used for humiliating defeats in sports, games, or debates.
彼は試合で相手を打ちのめした。
He humiliated his opponent in the match.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to beat someone thoroughly' or 'to humiliate completely'. Emphatic and somewhat dramatic.
彼は議論で相手を完膚なきまでにやっつけた。
He humiliated his opponent in the debate.