Translation guide
Expresses doing something without shame, embarrassment, or hesitation, often with a negative or critical nuance in English. In Japanese, the concept is conveyed through adverbs, verbs, and descriptive phrases that emphasize boldness, lack of restraint, or disregard for social norms.
Describes acting in a way that shows no shame, often with a negative connotation.
Adverb meaning calmly, composedly, or shamelessly, often used when someone does something inappropriate without showing any sign of guilt.
He shamelessly told a lie.
Adverb from 厚かましい (impudent, shameless), often used to criticize someone's bold or cheeky behavior.
She shamelessly came to borrow money again.
Literally 'without a shy face', meaning brazenly or shamelessly. Slightly formal and often used in written language.
He shamelessly boasted about his achievements.
From 図々しい (shameless, impudent), this adverb emphasizes pushy or brazen behavior, often in a negative sense.
He shamelessly cut in line.
Means 'without any sign of embarrassment'. Used when someone does something that would normally cause shame, but they show none.
He shamelessly sang loudly.
Describes acting confidently or without hesitation, not necessarily negative. Can be positive when referring to self-promotion or assertiveness.
Means 'boldly' or 'with confidence'. Can be used positively when someone acts without shame in a justified or admirable way.
She shamelessly (boldly) stated her opinion.
Means 'openly' or 'publicly', often used when someone does something without hiding it, even if it might be frowned upon.
He shamelessly broke the rules.
Used when someone acts without moral restraint, often in contexts like cheating, lying, or exploiting others.
There is no single Japanese adverb that directly corresponds to 'shamelessly' in all contexts. Using 恥知らずに (はじしらずに) is possible but rare and sounds very strong or archaic. Instead, choose an expression based on the nuance: boldness, impudence, or lack of embarrassment.
平然と emphasizes a calm, composed exterior while doing something shameful, whereas 厚かましくも focuses on the impudence or cheekiness of the act itself.
He shamelessly continued lying.