Translation guide
Describes someone who lacks shame, acts without embarrassment, or behaves in a brazen or audacious manner. Japanese expressions range from direct adjectives to nuanced phrases about thick-skinned or unapologetic behavior.
Describing a person or behavior that shows no sense of shame, often in a negative sense.
A common noun/adjective meaning 'shameless person' or 'shameless act'. Strongly negative.
Formal or literary term for shamelessness, often used in legal or moral contexts.
破廉恥な犯罪
a shameless crime
A four-character idiom meaning 'brazen-faced and shameless'. Very strong and literary.
彼の厚顔無恥な態度には呆れた。
I was appalled by his shameless attitude.
Describing someone who acts boldly without caring what others think, sometimes with a nuance of admiration or criticism.
Means 'impudent', 'shameless', or 'thick-skinned'. Commonly used for someone who takes advantage without shame.
図々しいお願いかもしれませんが…
This might be a shameless request, but...
彼女は図々しくも無料で泊めてもらおうとした。
She shamelessly tried to stay for free.
Literally 'iron mask', meaning brazen or shameless. Somewhat old-fashioned.
Describing someone who is openly proud or unashamed of something that might normally cause embarrassment.
Literally 'to put on an unfazed face', meaning to act shameless or unbothered.
彼は遅刻しても平気な顔をしている。
He acts shameless even when he's late.
Means 'unapologetic' or 'not feeling bad about something'. Often used when someone should feel guilty but doesn't.
彼は悪びれずに嘘をついた。
He shamelessly lied without any sign of guilt.
Describing behavior where someone promotes themselves or boasts without humility.
Means 'self-praise' or 'singing one's own praises'. Often used in the phrase 自画自賛する (to shamelessly praise oneself).
自画自賛するようですが、この作品はよくできました。
It may sound shameless, but this work turned out well.
Humble expression meaning 'self-flattery' or 'blowing one's own horn'. Used to soften self-praise.
Both mean 'shameless' in the sense of impudence. 図々しい emphasizes audacity and taking advantage, while 厚かましい focuses on lack of consideration or modesty. They are often interchangeable, but 図々しい is more common in everyday speech.
図々しいにもほどがある。
There's a limit to being shameless.
厚かましいお願いで申し訳ありません。
I apologize for the shameless request.
Direct translations like 恥がない are not idiomatic. Use the expressions provided to sound natural.
Similar to 図々しい, meaning 'impudent' or 'shameless', often implying a lack of consideration for others.
厚かましいお願いで恐縮です。
I'm sorry for the shameless request.
彼は鉄面皮にもまた借金を申し込んだ。
He shamelessly asked for another loan.
Adverb meaning 'shamelessly' or 'without a trace of embarrassment'. Somewhat formal.
彼は臆面もなく自分の失敗を笑い話にした。
He shamelessly turned his failure into a funny story.
手前味噌ですが、うちの店のラーメンは最高です。
It's shameless to say, but our ramen is the best.