恥
shame, dishonor
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
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.