恥(はじ)

はじ
noun
shame, disgrace, embarrassment
emotion
1. shame, disgrace, embarrassment, humiliation
The feeling of shame or embarrassment, or the state of being disgraced. A central concept in Japanese culture, where awareness of how one is perceived by others plays an important social role.
恥(はじ)をかいた。
I was embarrassed. / I made a fool of myself.
恥(はじ)を知(し)れ。
Know your shame. / You should be ashamed.
旅(たび)の恥(はじ)はかき捨(す)てというが、やはり恥(はじ)ずかしいものは恥(はじ)ずかしい。
They say embarrassment while traveling can be forgotten, but what's embarrassing is still embarrassing.

恥(はじ) is a fundamental concept in Japanese social behavior. Japan is often described as a "shame culture" where social awareness of others' judgment plays a major role.

Common expressions

  • 恥(はじ)をかく: to be embarrassed, to be put to shame
  • 恥(はじ)を知(し)る: to know shame, to have a sense of propriety
  • 恥(はじ)を知(し)れ: shame on you (rebuke)
  • 恥(はじ)をかかせる: to embarrass someone
  • 恥(はじ)ずかしい: embarrassing, shameful (related adjective)
  • 旅(たび)の恥(はじ)はかき捨(す)て: embarrassment while traveling can be thrown away (people act more freely away from home)
  • 聞(き)くは一時(いっとき)の恥(はじ)、聞(き)かぬは一生(いっしょう)の恥(はじ): asking is a moment's shame, not asking is a lifetime's shame

Similar words

  • 恥(はじ): shame, disgrace (the concept or state)
  • 恥(はじ)ずかしい: embarrassing, ashamed (adjective, the feeling)
  • 恥辱(ちじょく): disgrace, humiliation (formal, severe)

Related Words

Related: 屈辱(くつじょく) (humiliation (formal, severe))
Related: 恥(は)ずかしい (embarrassing (adjective))
Compare: 醜態(しゅうたい) (disgraceful behavior)
Related: 恥(は)ずかしさ (embarrassment)
general
Added 2026.2.22 13:38 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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