Readings: チ (Onyomi), はず, はじる, はじらう, はじ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: shame, disgrace, embarrassment
The kanji 恥 combines 耳 (ear) and 心 (heart/mind). The “ear” radical suggests hearing criticism or gossip, and the “heart” radical signifies the internal feeling of shame or embarrassment that arises.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The stroke order for 恥 starts with the “ear” radical (耳) on the left, followed by the “heart” radical (心) on the right. Pay attention to the correct order of strokes within each radical, ensuring the left part is completed before moving to the right.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 耳 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 10 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- チ (Chi)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- はず (hazu)
- はじ (haji)
Common Words Using 恥
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 恥辱 | ちじょく | disgrace, dishonor, humiliation |
| 羞恥心 | しゅうちしん | sense of shame, modesty |
| 廉恥心 | れんちしん | sense of honor and shame, integrity |
| 雪恥 | せっち | retrieve one’s honor, wipe out a disgrace |
| 恥部 | ちぶ | private parts, shameful part |
| 奇恥 | き‐ち | great shame, scandal |
| 恥笑 | ちしょう | derisive laughter |
| 恥聞 | ちぶん | disgraceful rumor |
| 恥名 | ちめい | disgraceful name/reputation |
| 恥告 | ちこく | public disclosure of shame |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 恥ずかしい | はずかしい | shy, embarrassed |
| 恥じる | はじる | to feel ashamed, to be ashamed of |
| 恥じらう | はじらう | to feel shy, to blush |
| 恥 | はじ | shame, disgrace |
| 赤っ恥 | あかっぱじ | public shame, deep shame |
| 恥知らず | はじしらず | shameless person, impudent |
| 恥をかく | はじをかく | to be embarrassed, to make a fool of oneself |
| 恥ずかしがり屋 | はずかしがりや | a shy person |
| 恥じ入る | はじいる | to feel deeply ashamed |
| 人前で恥をかく | ひとまえではじをかく | to be humiliated in public, to make a fool of oneself |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼は間違いを恥じて謝った。
Kana: かれはまちがいをはじてあやまった。
Romaji: Kare wa machigai o hajite ayamatta.
English: He felt ashamed of his mistake and apologized.
Japanese: 彼女は人前で歌うのが恥ずかしい。
Kana: かのじょはひとまえでうたうのがはずかしい。
Romaji: Kanojo wa hitomae de utau no ga hazukashii.
English: She is shy about singing in front of people.
Japanese: そんなことをして恥を知らないのか。
Kana: そんなことをしてはじをしらないのか。
Romaji: Son’na koto o shite haji o shiranai no ka?
English: Don’t you have any shame doing something like that?
Japanese: 失敗は成功のもと、恥は掻き捨て。
Kana: しっぱいはせいこうのもと、はじはかきすて。
Romaji: Shippai wa seikou no moto, haji wa kakisute.
English: Failure is the foundation of success, and shame should be thrown away. (Proverb)
Japanese: 彼は自分の無知を恥じた。
Kana: かれはじぶんのむちをはじじいた。
Romaji: Kare wa jibun no muchi o jijita.
English: He was ashamed of his ignorance.
Japanese: 恥ずかしくて顔が赤くなった。
Kana: はずかしくてかおがあかくなった。
Romaji: Hazukashikute kao ga akaku natta.
English: I was so embarrassed my face turned red.
Japanese: あの行為は全く恥辱である。
Kana: あのこういはまったくちじょくである。
Romaji: Ano koui wa mattaku chijoku de aru.
English: That act is truly disgraceful.
Japanese: 彼女は初めてのデートで少し恥じらった。
Kana: かのじょははじめてのでーとですこしはじらった。
Romaji: Kanojo wa hajimete no deeto de sukoshi hajiratta.
English: She was a little shy on her first date.
Japanese: 自分のしたことが恥ずかしい。
Kana: じぶんのしたことがはずかしい。
Romaji: Jibun no shita koto ga hazukashii.
English: I’m ashamed of what I did.
Japanese: 彼は恥知らずにも平然としていた。
Kana: かれははじしらずにもへいぜんとしていた。
Romaji: Kare wa hajishirazu ni mo heizen to shite ita.
English: He shamelessly remained calm.
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