1.
shameless person; someone without shame
A person who shows no embarrassment or remorse for behavior that would normally be considered disgraceful. A strong insult.
あの人は恥知らずだ。
That person is shameless.
嘘をついて平気な顔をしている恥知らずな人間だ。
He's a shameless person who lies and shows no remorse.
自分の過ちを認めずに他人のせいにするなんて、恥知らずにも程がある。
Not admitting your own mistakes and blaming others — there's a limit to shamelessness.
会社の金を横領しておいて恥知らずにも復職を求めてきた。
After embezzling company money, he brazenly sought to return to his position.
2.
shamelessness; brazenness
The quality of being without shame. Can also function as a na-adjective to describe shameless behavior.
自分の過ちを認めずに他人のせいにするなんて、恥知らずにも程がある。
Not admitting your own mistakes and blaming others — there's a limit to shamelessness.
恥知らずな行為だ。
That is shameless behavior.
あんな恥知らずな真似はできない。
I couldn't do anything that shameless.
会社の金を横領しておいて恥知らずにも復職を求めてきた。
After embezzling company money, he brazenly sought to return to his position.
Literally '恥 (shame) + 知らず (not knowing)' — a person who doesn't know shame. A strong expression of disapproval. Can be used as a noun (a shameless person) or as a na-adjective (恥知らずな).
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 恥知らずな + noun: shameless (adjective use)
- 恥知らずにも: shamelessly, brazenly
- 恥知らずにも程がある: there's a limit to shamelessness
CULTURAL NOTE:
In Japanese culture, where 恥 (shame) plays an important social role, calling someone 恥知らず is a strong criticism implying they lack basic social awareness.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 厚かましい: impudent, brazen — focuses on pushiness rather than lack of shame
- 図々しい: shameless, nervy — colloquial, similar strength
- 恥知らず: emphasizes a fundamental absence of the sense of shame