Translation guide
The feeling of deep embarrassment, shame, or humiliation, often from a social blunder or loss of dignity. In Japanese, this is expressed through words for shame, embarrassment, and regret, with nuances depending on the cause and social context.
Express a strong feeling of embarrassment or shame, often from a personal mistake or awkward situation.
When I remember my mistake, I'm filled with mortification.
A stronger, more formal word for humiliation or mortification, often involving a loss of dignity or pride in front of others. Used for serious social disgrace.
I felt mortified when I was yelled at in front of everyone.
A formal, literary term for shame or mortification. Rare in everyday speech, but may appear in writing or psychological contexts.
Unable to bear the mortification, he left the scene.
Describe the state of being mortified or feeling deeply embarrassed.
A common phrase meaning 'so embarrassed I can't stand it'. Expresses intense mortification in a natural, conversational way.
I forgot my words during the speech and was absolutely mortified.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'I wish I could sink through the floor' or 'I wanted to crawl into a hole'. Perfectly captures the feeling of mortification.
Literally 'to blush', but often used to describe the physical reaction of mortification. Can imply a strong sense of shame.
Refer to the embarrassing incident or mistake that caused the feeling.
A blunder or failure, especially one that causes loss of face or embarrassment. Often used in business or formal contexts.
I still feel mortified when I recall my blunder at the meeting.
A general word for shame or disgrace. Can refer to the feeling or the cause. Often used in set phrases.
Express mortification caused by someone else's actions, especially when made to look foolish.
To lose face; to be disgraced or humiliated. A formal expression often used when one's reputation or dignity is damaged.
He lost face in public and was deeply mortified.
To be embarrassed or humiliated; literally 'to write shame'. A common, slightly informal phrase for experiencing mortification due to a mistake or someone's actions.
恥ずかしさ (hazukashisa) is a general feeling of embarrassment that can be mild or strong, often from personal awkwardness. 屈辱 (kutsujoku) is a heavier, more formal term for humiliation, typically involving a loss of dignity in a social or public context. Use 屈辱 when the mortification is tied to being degraded or disgraced by others.
Singing in public makes me feel embarrassed, but not humiliated.
Avoid directly translating 'mortification' as 死 (death) or 苦行 (asceticism). In modern English, 'mortification' almost always refers to extreme embarrassment, not physical death or religious self-denial. Use the expressions above to convey the emotional state.
I tripped in front of everyone and felt mortified (wanted to crawl into a hole).
I blushed with mortification at his rude remark.
彼は自分の行為を恥だと思った。
He considered his actions a mortification.
I was mortified in front of her and couldn't recover for a while.