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Kotomora

恥

shame, dishonor

JLPTN3StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes10

Readings

On'yomi

  • チ

Kun'yomi

  • は.じる
  • はじ
  • は.じらう
  • は.ずかしい

Meaning

恥 centers on the painful feeling of losing face or honor: shame and dishonor. It captures the internal sting of public embarrassment or moral failure.

Most common words using 恥

20 of 71
  • 恥ずかしいはずかしい
    N4

    embarrassing; embarrassed; ashamed; humiliated; shy

  • 恥はじ
    N2

    shame; embarrassment; disgrace

  • 恥じるはじる
    N1

    to feel ashamed

  • 羞恥しゅうち

    shyness; bashfulness; shame

  • 恥知らずはじしらず
    N1

    shameless; shameless person

  • 恥辱ちじょく

    disgrace; shame; insult

  • 恥じらいはじらい

    shyness; bashfulness

  • 羞恥心しゅうちしん

    shyness; shame

  • 恥ずかしながらはずかしながら

    embarrassingly; shamefully; I am embarrassed to admit that ...; I am ashamed to say that ...

  • 破廉恥はれんち

    shameless; infamous; disgraceful

  • 恥さらしはじさらし
    N1

    disgrace; shame

  • 恥骨ちこつ

    pubis; pubic bone

  • 生き恥いきはじ

    dishonor during one's life; shame experienced during one's life

  • 恥部ちぶ

    private parts; privates; genitalia; secret place

  • 厚顔無恥こうがんむち

    shameless; brazen and unscrupulous

  • 恥じらうはじらう
    N1

    to feel shy; to be bashful; to blush

  • 恥ずいはずい

    embarrassing

  • 恥じ入るはじいる

    to feel deeply ashamed (of)

  • 無恥むち
    N1

    shameless

  • 恥ずかしがるはずかしがる
    N2

    to be shy of; to be bashful; to be abashed; to blush

Explore all words using 恥 →

Study

Etymology

恥 combines 耳 (ear) and 心 (heart/mind). The traditional explanation is that shame makes the ears burn red, connecting the physical reaction to the inner feeling.

Meaning mnemonic

When you feel shame, your ears turn red and your heart pounds. 耳 (ear) + 心 (heart) = the physical and emotional signs of dishonor.

Reading mnemonic

For チ, imagine someone pointing and saying 'Chee!' in a mocking tone, making your ears burn with shame: 'Chee!' -> チ.