Translation guide
The state or quality of lacking shame, embarrassment, or a sense of propriety. In Japanese, this concept is often expressed through adjectives describing a person's character, verbs indicating bold or brazen behavior, or set phrases. The most common and direct equivalent is 厚かましさ (atsukamashisa), but the choice depends on whether you are describing a personality trait, a specific act, or a lack of moral restraint.
Describing someone who is consistently shameless, bold, or impudent in their demands or behavior, often without regard for others' feelings or social norms.
An i-adjective meaning 'shameless', 'impudent', or 'brazen'. It describes someone who acts without embarrassment in situations where most people would feel ashamed. Commonly used for unreasonable requests or overly familiar behavior.
彼は厚かましくも、またお金を借りに来た。
He had the shamelessness to come borrow money again.
そんな厚かましいお願いはできません。
I can't make such a shameless request.
An i-adjective similar to 厚かましい, but often implies a more persistent, pushy, or cheeky shamelessness. It can carry a nuance of being annoyingly bold.
図々しいにもほどがある。
There's a limit to shamelessness.
A noun or na-adjective meaning 'shameless' or 'brazen-faced', literally 'iron mask'. It is a stronger, more literary term, often used in written language or formal criticism.
彼の鉄面皮な態度には呆れる。
I'm disgusted by his shameless attitude.
Referring to a specific instance of shameless behavior, such as lying, cheating, or doing something outrageous without remorse.
Literally 'shameless act'. A straightforward way to describe a specific action that lacks shame.
彼の厚かましい行為には言葉もない。
I'm speechless at his shameless behavior.
Means 'shameless conduct'. 恥知らず (hajishirazu) is a noun meaning 'shameless person' or 'lack of shame', and 振る舞い (furumai) means 'behavior'. This phrase emphasizes the moral failing.
彼の恥知らずな振る舞いに怒りを感じた。
I felt anger at his shameless conduct.
A noun or na-adjective meaning 'shameless', 'infamous', or 'disgraceful'. Often used in legal or formal contexts to describe scandalous behavior, especially of a sexual nature.
Describing a deeper absence of shame related to morality, ethics, or conscience, often implying a character flaw.
A noun meaning 'shameless person' or the quality of being shameless. It directly points to someone who lacks a sense of shame or embarrassment, often with a strong negative moral judgment.
あんな嘘をつくなんて、恥知らずもいいところだ。
Telling a lie like that is the height of shamelessness.
A formal phrase meaning 'lack of sense of honor/shame'. 廉恥心 (renchishin) is a compound meaning 'sense of honor and shame'. This is used in serious discussions of morality or character.
政治家には廉恥心の欠如が見られる。
A lack of shamelessness can be seen in politicians.
Sometimes 'shamelessness' can be used in a more neutral or even admiring way to describe someone who is uninhibited or bold. Japanese has words that capture this nuance without the strong negative connotation.
A na-adjective meaning 'bold', 'daring', or 'fearless'. It can describe shamelessness in a positive light, such as bold fashion choices or daring actions, without implying moral failing.
彼女の大胆なファッションは注目を集めた。
Her shameless (bold) fashion attracted attention.
A phrase meaning 'without a trace of embarrassment' or 'shamelessly bold'. It can be used negatively or neutrally, depending on context, to describe someone who does something without showing any shame.
彼は臆面もなく自分の成功を自慢した。
He shamelessly boasted about his success.
Both mean 'shameless' or 'impudent', but 厚かましい focuses on the lack of embarrassment in making unreasonable requests or imposing on others, while 図々しい emphasizes a persistent, pushy, or cheeky attitude. 図々しい often feels more annoying and intrusive.
厚かましいお願いですが、車で送っていただけませんか。
This is a shameless request, but could you give me a ride?
図々しくも人の家に上がり込んだ。
He had the nerve to barge into someone's house.
The English noun 'shamelessness' does not have a single, perfect Japanese noun equivalent that works in all contexts. It is usually more natural to use an adjective like 厚かましい or a phrase like 恥知らずな行為. Direct translations like 恥のなさ (haji no nasa) are not idiomatic.
彼の行動は恥知らずだ。
His behavior is shameless.
He was arrested for a shameless crime (often implying a sex crime).