great shame; deep embarrassment; harsh humiliation
Refers to a situation or feeling of extreme embarrassment or loss of face, often in a social context. Commonly used in phrases like 大恥をかく (to be deeply embarrassed).
I tripped in front of everyone and was deeply embarrassed.
He was so humiliated that he didn't show his face for a while.
Compound of 大 (おお, 'big, great') and 恥 (はじ, 'shame'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination straightforwardly intensifies the meaning of shame.