Translation guide
The English word 'shameful' describes something that causes shame or embarrassment, often due to moral failing or social disgrace. In Japanese, expressing this concept depends on whether you're describing an action, a situation, or a person's character, and the level of formality.
To say that a specific act, event, or state of affairs is shameful, often implying it brings dishonor.
Literally 'should be ashamed of'. A formal and strong adjective used to describe actions or situations that are morally shameful or disgraceful. Common in news and serious contexts.
彼の行為は恥ずべきものだ。
His actions are shameful.
The most common word for 'embarrassing' or 'shameful' in everyday speech. It can describe personal embarrassment or something that makes you feel ashamed. Less severe than 恥ずべき.
そんなことをするなんて恥ずかしい。
It's shameful to do something like that.
Means 'dishonorable' or 'disgraceful'. Used for actions or events that bring shame to a person, group, or institution. More formal and often used in written contexts.
それは不名誉な事件だ。
That is a shameful incident.
Expresses a feeling of pitifulness or shame, often about one's own or someone else's pathetic behavior. It carries a nuance of disappointment and frustration.
彼の情けない言い訳には呆れた。
I was disgusted by his shameful excuse.
Means 'unsightly' or 'shameful to look at'. Used for behavior or scenes that are disgraceful to witness. Often implies a lack of dignity.
彼らの喧嘩は見苦しかった。
Their fight was shameful to watch.
To characterize a person as lacking honor or being a disgrace.
A noun/adjective meaning 'shameless' or 'brazen'. It describes a person who has no sense of shame, often used as a strong insult.
あんな恥知らずな奴は見たことがない。
I've never seen such a shameful person.
A formal and strong word meaning 'shameless' or 'infamous'. Often used in legal or moral contexts to describe a person's disgraceful conduct.
彼の破廉恥な行為は許せない。
His shameful conduct is unforgivable.
Literally 'face-dirtier'. A noun meaning a disgrace to one's family, group, or organization. It implies bringing shame upon a collective.
To express one's own feeling of shame or embarrassment.
The standard way to say 'I'm embarrassed/ashamed'. Can be used for mild to moderate shame.
そんなことをして恥ずかしい。
I'm ashamed of doing such a thing.
A formal expression meaning 'I am ashamed' or 'I have lost face'. Used when you feel you have failed to meet expectations, often in professional settings.
To refer to something from the past that one is ashamed of.
Literally 'shameful part'. Refers to a hidden shameful aspect of one's life or past, like a dark secret. Often used in the phrase 恥部をさらす (to expose one's shameful secret).
彼は過去の恥部を暴かれた。
His shameful past was exposed.
Slang term meaning 'dark history'. Refers to embarrassing or shameful past actions or phases that one wants to forget. Very common in youth culture.
English speakers often say 'That's shameful!' to express strong disapproval. In Japanese, 恥ずかしい is more about personal embarrassment. To express moral outrage, use 恥ずべき or 不名誉な instead.
それは恥ずべき行為だ。
That is a shameful act.
恥ずかしい describes a feeling of embarrassment (I am ashamed / it is embarrassing). 恥ずべき is a judgment about something being morally shameful (it is a disgrace). Use 恥ずべき for serious condemnation.
彼の態度は恥ずべきだ。
His attitude is shameful (morally wrong).
人前で話すのは恥ずかしい。
Speaking in public is embarrassing (not morally wrong).
嘘をつくのは恥ずべきことだ。
It's shameful to lie.
自分の間違いが恥ずかしい。
I feel shameful about my mistake.
彼は家族の面汚しだ。
He is a shame to his family.
ご期待に添えず、面目ない。
I am ashamed that I couldn't meet your expectations.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'I'm so embarrassed I wish I could disappear'. Equivalent to 'I wanted to crawl into a hole'. Used for intense embarrassment.
失敗してみんなの前で穴があったら入りたい気分だった。
After making that mistake in front of everyone, I felt so ashamed I wanted to crawl into a hole.
中学生の時の日記は黒歴史だ。
My diary from middle school is a shameful past I'd rather forget.