A2 adjective 9 Min. Lesezeit
At the A1 level, learners are primarily focused on basic survival vocabulary and simple expressions of emotion like happy, sad, angry, or shy. The word 수치스럽다 (su-chi-seu-reop-da) is generally too complex and heavy for A1 contexts. Beginners should first master words like 부끄럽다 (bukkeureopda), which means shy or embarrassed. However, encountering this word might happen if you are watching intense Korean dramas where characters express extreme emotions. If an A1 learner sees this word, they should simply understand it as a very strong version of 'bad' or 'ashamed'. It describes a feeling when someone does something very wrong and feels terrible about it. You do not need to use this word in your own speaking at this stage, but recognizing it will help you understand the emotional tone of serious stories. Focus on the pronunciation: su-chi-seu-reop-da. It has five syllables and uses the common adjective ending '-다'. If you want to say you are shy because you made a mistake in class, do not use this word. Use 부끄러워요 instead. Save this heavy word for later when you can build more complex sentences.
At the A2 level, learners begin to differentiate between basic emotions and more nuanced feelings. You already know 부끄럽다 (shy/ashamed) and perhaps 창피하다 (embarrassed). Now, you introduce 수치스럽다 to describe a much deeper, darker feeling of shame or disgrace. This is the level where you learn that not all 'embarrassment' is the same in Korean culture. You use this word when a serious rule is broken, or someone's honor is destroyed. Grammatically, you must practice the 'ㅂ' irregular conjugation. Since it ends in 'ㅂ', when you speak politely, it becomes 수치스러워요. When you want to describe a noun, it becomes 수치스러운 (for example, 수치스러운 일 - a shameful event). A2 learners can start using this word to describe the plot of a movie or a serious mistake. For example, '그 남자는 도둑질을 해서 수치스러워요' (That man stole, so he is ashamed). Understanding the cultural weight of this word helps you grasp the importance of reputation and 'face' in Korean society, moving you beyond just literal translations of English words.
For B1 learners, the focus shifts to expressing opinions and describing abstract concepts. You will use 수치스럽다 to discuss ethical issues, news events, and societal norms. At this intermediate stage, you should comfortably use adverbial forms like 수치스럽게 (shamefully) and complex sentence structures. For example, you can say '그 정치인은 뇌물을 받고 수치스럽게 사퇴했다' (The politician received a bribe and shamefully resigned). You will also learn to differentiate it clearly from synonyms like 굴욕적이다 (humiliating) and 모욕적이다 (insulting). B1 learners should practice expressing their own moral boundaries using the pattern '~는 것은 수치스러운 일이다' (Doing ~ is a disgraceful thing). This allows you to participate in deeper conversations about right and wrong, honor, and social expectations. You will frequently hear this word in news reports regarding scandals or public apologies. Mastering its usage adds a significant layer of maturity and sophistication to your Korean, showing native speakers that you understand the cultural gravity of shame.
At the B2 upper-intermediate level, your vocabulary must reflect precision and cultural fluency. 수치스럽다 is no longer just a vocabulary word; it is a tool for rhetorical impact. You will use it in formal debates, essays, and advanced discussions about history or politics. You will encounter it in editorial writing and literature, where authors explore the psychological burden of disgrace. At this level, you should understand collocations such as 수치심을 느끼다 (to feel a sense of shame) and 수치스러운 과거 (a disgraceful past). You should also be able to understand the passive and causative contexts surrounding the word, such as how society makes someone feel disgraced. B2 learners must flawlessly navigate the conjugations across all speech levels and modifier forms without hesitation. You will also begin to appreciate the historical context, such as how the word is used to describe periods of national loss or unequal treaties. Using this word correctly in a persuasive essay will demonstrate your ability to handle complex emotional and ethical vocabulary with native-like intuition.
C1 advanced learners must engage with the deepest sociological and historical implications of 수치스럽다. At this level, you are analyzing Korean literature, historical texts, and high-level political discourse. You understand that this word is intrinsically tied to the Confucian concept of 체면 (face/reputation) and the collective identity of Korean society. A disgrace is rarely just personal; it reflects on the family, the company, or the nation. You will use advanced grammar patterns with this word, such as '수치스럽기 짝이 없다' (to be incomparably disgraceful) or '수치스러움을 금할 길 없다' (cannot suppress the feeling of disgrace). You are expected to read complex articles where this word is used to critique systemic failures or historical injustices. Your spoken Korean will utilize this word to convey profound indignation or moral absolute judgments. You will also explore its antonyms, like 떳떳하다 (to be honorable/have a clear conscience) and 당당하다 (to be confident/dignified), creating sophisticated contrasts in your arguments.
At the C2 mastery level, your command of 수치스럽다 encompasses its complete etymological, philosophical, and literary dimensions. You understand the Hanja roots (羞恥) and can discuss how the concept of shame has evolved in Korean society from the Joseon dynasty's strict moral codes to modern-day public scandals and internet cancel culture. You can analyze classic poetry and modern prose, identifying subtle nuances where the author chooses this word over others to evoke a specific existential dread or loss of human dignity. In your own production, you use the word with absolute precision, tailoring its impact perfectly to the audience and the medium, whether delivering a formal academic lecture, writing a poignant op-ed, or engaging in a highly nuanced philosophical debate about ethics and human nature. You recognize the psychological trauma associated with the word and can articulate the societal mechanisms that enforce this level of shame, demonstrating a near-native, comprehensive mastery of the Korean language and its underlying cultural psyche.
Core Meaning
The Korean adjective 수치스럽다 (su-chi-seu-reop-da) translates to being shameful, disgraceful, or humiliating. It is a powerful vocabulary word that describes a profound sense of moral or social degradation. Unlike simple embarrassment, which might make you blush, this word implies a deep wound to one's honor, dignity, or public face. It is often used when someone has committed a severe ethical violation, failed spectacularly in a public setting, or been subjected to degrading treatment by others.

자신의 거짓말이 들통나자 그는 매우 수치스러운 기분을 느꼈다.

When his lies were exposed, he felt a deeply shameful feeling.
Cultural Context
To fully grasp this word, you must understand the Korean concept of '체면' (chemyon), which translates roughly to 'face' or 'social reputation'. In Korean society, maintaining one's face is crucial for social harmony and personal dignity. When an action destroys this face, the resulting emotion is not just regret, but a crushing sense of shame. This is exactly when you would use this adjective. It carries the weight of societal judgment and the internal realization of having fallen short of expected moral or social standards.

그런 범죄를 저지르다니 정말 수치스럽다.

To commit such a crime is truly disgraceful.
Etymology and Hanja
The root of this word comes from the Sino-Korean characters 羞 (수 - su), meaning 'shame', and 恥 (치 - chi), which also means 'shame' or 'disgrace'. Combined, '수치' (suchi) means absolute disgrace. The native Korean suffix '-스럽다' (seureopda) is attached to nouns to mean 'having the quality of'. Therefore, the literal translation is 'having the quality of absolute disgrace'. This heavy etymological background explains why the word is reserved for serious situations rather than minor social faux pas.

역사적으로 그 사건은 국가에 수치스러운 일이었다.

Historically, that incident was a shameful event for the nation.

아무것도 모르는 자신이 너무 수치스러웠다.

I felt so humiliated that I knew nothing.

그는 수치스러운 과거를 숨기고 싶어 한다.

He wants to hide his disgraceful past.
As a Noun Modifier
Because it is an adjective (descriptive verb in Korean grammar), it must be conjugated to modify nouns. You drop the '다' (da), and because it is a 'ㅂ' irregular verb, the 'ㅂ' changes to '우' (u), and then you add 'ㄴ' (n). Thus, it becomes 수치스러운 (suchiseureoun), meaning 'shameful'. This form is incredibly common and is placed directly before nouns like 일 (event), 과거 (past), 행동 (behavior), or 기억 (memory). Mastering this conjugation is essential for expressing complex thoughts about disgraceful events.

이것은 우리 가문의 가장 수치스러운 비밀입니다.

This is our family's most shameful secret.
As a Predicate
When used at the end of a sentence to describe the subject's state, it conjugates according to the politeness level. In the formal polite form (존댓말), it becomes 수치스럽습니다 (suchiseureopseumnida). In the standard polite form, due to the 'ㅂ' irregular rule, it becomes 수치스러워요 (suchiseureowoyo). In the intimate/casual form (반말), it is 수치스러워 (suchiseureowo). It is vital to match the politeness level to your audience, especially since discussing shame is a sensitive topic that requires grammatical tact.

저는 제 자신이 너무 수치스러워요.

I am so ashamed of myself.
As an Adverb
To use this word as an adverb meaning 'shamefully' or 'disgracefully', you attach the suffix '-게' (ge) to the stem, resulting in 수치스럽게 (suchiseureopge). This form is used to describe how an action is performed or how a state is perceived. For example, you might say someone lived shamefully or that a situation ended disgracefully. This adverbial usage allows you to add a layer of moral judgment to the verbs in your sentences.

그는 직장에서 수치스럽게 쫓겨났다.

He was disgracefully kicked out of his workplace.

그렇게 행동하는 것은 스스로를 수치스럽게 만드는 일이다.

Acting like that is something that makes oneself shameful.

우리는 패배를 수치스럽게 생각하지 않는다.

We do not consider defeat to be shameful.
News and Politics
One of the most frequent places you will encounter this word is in Korean news broadcasts, particularly concerning political scandals, corporate corruption, or severe criminal acts. Politicians often use it to attack their opponents, stating that a certain policy or action is 'disgraceful to the nation'. When a public figure is caught in a scandal, editorial columns will describe their actions as a deep shame to society. The formal and heavy nature of the word makes it perfectly suited for serious journalistic critique.

대통령은 이번 부패 스캔들을 수치스러운 일이라고 비판했다.

The president criticized this corruption scandal as a disgraceful event.
Historical Contexts
Korean history is deeply intertwined with concepts of national pride and national shame. Documentaries, history books, and historical dramas (사극 - sageuk) frequently utilize this vocabulary when discussing periods of subjugation, lost battles, or unequal treaties. For instance, the day Korea lost its sovereignty to Japan is known as 국치일 (National Humiliation Day), sharing the same '치' (shame) character. Understanding this word gives you access to the emotional vocabulary used to discuss Korea's historical traumas and triumphs.

나라를 빼앗긴 것은 역사상 가장 수치스러운 기억이다.

Losing the country is the most shameful memory in history.
Korean Dramas (Melodramas and Thrillers)
In modern K-dramas, especially those focusing on revenge, corporate maneuvering, or intense family dynamics, this word is a staple. A wealthy patriarch might yell it at a child who has ruined the family's reputation. A protagonist seeking revenge might vow to make their enemies feel the exact same humiliation they experienced. The dramatic weight of the word amplifies the emotional stakes of the scene, highlighting the devastating impact of losing one's social standing or personal honor.

너는 우리 가족에게 수치스러운 존재야!

You are a disgraceful existence to our family!

그 여자 앞에서 무릎을 꿇다니, 정말 수치스러워.

To kneel in front of that woman, it's truly humiliating.

수치스러운 상처를 평생 잊지 않겠다.

I will never forget this humiliating wound for the rest of my life.
Confusing with 부끄럽다 (Shy/Embarrassed)
The most frequent error English speakers make is using this word when they simply mean they are shy or slightly embarrassed. For example, if you make a small mistake speaking Korean or if you are nervous about giving a presentation, you should use 부끄럽다 (bukkeureopda). If you say '한국어 말하기가 수치스러워요' (Speaking Korean is disgraceful to me), native speakers will be shocked. It implies that speaking Korean is a deeply immoral or humiliating act that strips you of your human dignity. Always reserve this word for severe moral or social failings.

노래 부르는 것이 부끄러워요. (O) / 노래 부르는 것이 수치스러워요. (X)

I am shy to sing. (Correct) / Singing is a deep moral disgrace to me. (Incorrect context)
Incorrect Conjugation of the 'ㅂ' Irregular
Because it ends in 'ㅂ', learners often forget to apply the irregular conjugation rules when adding vowel-initial suffixes. A common mistake is writing or saying '수치스럽어요' instead of the correct '수치스러워요'. The 'ㅂ' must change to '우' before the '어' is added, combining to form '워'. This rule applies to almost all adjectives ending in '-스럽다' (e.g., 사랑스럽다 -> 사랑스러워요, 자랑스럽다 -> 자랑스러워요). Failing to conjugate this properly immediately marks your Korean as unnatural and beginner-level.

그는 수치스럽은 행동을 했다. (X) / 그는 수치스러운 행동을 했다. (O)

He did a disgraceful act.
Overusing it in Daily Conversation
Another mistake is overusing this heavy vocabulary in light, everyday situations. If you spill water on your shirt at a restaurant, you are not '수치스럽다'. You are '창피하다' (embarrassed/ashamed of a small blunder). Using excessive vocabulary for minor inconveniences can make you sound overly theatrical or literal in your translations from English. The English word 'humiliated' can sometimes be used lightly (e.g., 'I was so humiliated when I tripped'), but the Korean equivalent does not share this casual flexibility.

바지에 커피를 쏟아서 창피했어요. (O) / 바지에 커피를 쏟아서 수치스러웠어요. (X - Too dramatic)

I was embarrassed because I spilled coffee on my pants.

친구에게 거짓말을 한 내 자신이 수치스럽다.

I am deeply ashamed of myself for lying to my friend. (Acceptable use for moral failing)

시험에서 0점을 받다니, 정말 수치스러운 결과다.

To get a zero on the test is a truly disgraceful result. (Acceptable for severe loss of face)
창피하다 (changpihada)
This is the most common alternative for everyday situations. While 수치스럽다 deals with profound moral or social disgrace, 창피하다 deals with the loss of face in a minor, often physical or social, blunder. If your stomach growls loudly in a quiet room, or if you wear your shirt inside out, you are 창피하다. It translates well to 'embarrassed' or 'ashamed' in a lighter sense. It lacks the heavy, devastating emotional weight of absolute disgrace.

길에서 넘어져서 정말 창피했다. (Not 수치스럽다)

I fell on the street and was really embarrassed.
부끄럽다 (bukkeureopda)
This word has a dual meaning: it can mean 'shy' (like a child hiding behind their parent) or 'ashamed' in a moral sense (feeling guilty for a wrongdoing). When used to mean ashamed, it is closer to 수치스럽다, but it focuses more on the internal feeling of conscience rather than the external loss of social standing. A person can feel 부끄럽다 alone in their room reflecting on a mistake, whereas 수치스럽다 often involves the agonizing perception of how others view the disgrace.

하늘을 우러러 한 점 부끄럼이 없기를. (Famous poem line)

Hoping to have not a single speck of shame when looking up at the sky.
굴욕적이다 (guryokjeogida)
This translates strictly to 'humiliating' or 'degrading'. It is used when someone else forces you into a position of submission or strips you of your dignity. While 수치스럽다 can be a feeling generated by your own actions (e.g., you stole something and feel disgraced), 굴욕적이다 usually requires an external agent who is actively humiliating you. For example, being forced to apologize publicly for something you didn't do is 굴욕적이다, which consequently makes you feel 수치스럽다.

적에게 항복하는 것은 굴욕적인 일이다.

Surrendering to the enemy is a humiliating thing.

그의 비판은 매우 모욕적이고 수치스러웠다.

His criticism was highly insulting and disgraceful.

아, 진짜 쪽팔려! (Slang equivalent for minor embarrassment)

Ah, I'm so embarrassed! (Losing face)

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

그는 수치스러워요.

He is ashamed.

Polite form ending -어요 applied to the 'ㅂ' irregular verb.

2

수치스러운 일입니다.

It is a shameful thing.

Modifier form -은 attached to a noun (일).

3

나는 수치스럽다.

I am ashamed.

Basic dictionary/plain form used for expressing one's own feeling.

4

정말 수치스러워요.

I am really ashamed.

Adverb 정말 (really) emphasizing the adjective.

5

수치스러운 행동이에요.

It is a disgraceful behavior.

Noun 행동 (behavior) modified by the adjective.

6

너무 수치스럽습니다.

I am too ashamed.

Formal polite ending -습니다.

7

수치스러운 과거입니다.

It is a shameful past.

Noun 과거 (past) modified by the adjective.

8

수치스럽지 않아요?

Aren't you ashamed?

Negative form -지 않다 used as a question.

1

거짓말을 해서 수치스러워요.

I am ashamed because I lied.

Conjunction -아/어서 used to show reason.

2

그의 행동은 매우 수치스럽다.

His behavior is very disgraceful.

Subject marker -은/는 highlighting the topic.

3

수치스러운 기억을 잊고 싶어요.

I want to forget the shameful memory.

Verb 잊다 (to forget) with -고 싶다 (want to).

4

그 일은 우리 가족에게 수치스러웠어요.

That event was shameful to our family.

Past tense -었- combined with the 'ㅂ' irregular (-워-).

5

도둑질은 수치스러운 일입니다.

Stealing is a disgraceful thing.

Noun 도둑질 (stealing) as the subject.

6

수치스럽게 생각하지 마세요.

Don't think of it shamefully.

Adverbial form -게 with negative imperative -지 마세요.

7

그녀는 수치스러워서 울었어요.

She cried because she was ashamed.

Reason conjunction -아/어서.

8

시험을 망쳐서 수치스러워요.

I am ashamed because I ruined the test.

Colloquial expression 망치다 (to ruin).

1

그 정치인은 뇌물 사건으로 수치스럽게 사퇴했다.

The politician shamefully resigned due to a bribery scandal.

Adverbial form modifying the verb 사퇴하다 (to resign).

2

자신의 실수를 인정하지 않는 것은 수치스러운 일이다.

Not acknowledging one's mistakes is a disgraceful thing.

Nominalization -는 것 used as the subject.

3

그는 수치스러운 과거를 숨기기 위해 거짓말을 계속했다.

He continued to lie to hide his shameful past.

Purpose clause -기 위해 (in order to).

4

그렇게 행동하면 나중에 수치스러움을 느낄 거예요.

If you act like that, you will feel a sense of shame later.

Noun form 수치스러움 created with the -ㅁ/음 suffix.

5

우리는 그 패배를 결코 수치스럽게 여기지 않는다.

We never consider that defeat to be shameful.

Verb 여기다 (to consider/think) with adverbial form.

6

공공장소에서 큰 소리로 싸우는 것은 정말 수치스럽다.

Fighting loudly in a public place is truly disgraceful.

Action verb nominalized to act as the subject.

7

그 사건은 회사 역사상 가장 수치스러운 스캔들이었다.

That incident was the most shameful scandal in the company's history.

Superlative 가장 (most) modifying the adjective.

8

스스로를 수치스럽게 만드는 행동은 피해야 합니다.

You must avoid behavior that makes yourself shameful.

Causative structure -게 만들다 (to make someone/something...).

1

역사적 진실을 왜곡하는 행위는 국가적으로 수치스러운 범죄이다.

The act of distorting historical truth is a nationally disgraceful crime.

Complex noun phrase modifying 범죄 (crime).

2

그는 자신의 권력을 남용한 것에 대해 깊이 수치스러워해야 마땅하다.

He deserves to be deeply ashamed of abusing his power.

Structure -아/어야 마땅하다 (it is proper/deserved that...).

3

언론은 그의 비윤리적인 태도를 수치스럽다고 강도 높게 비판했다.

The media heavily criticized his unethical attitude as being disgraceful.

Indirect quotation form -다고 used with 비판하다.

4

가난 자체는 결코 수치스러운 것이 아니며, 게으름이 문제일 뿐이다.

Poverty itself is never a shameful thing; laziness is merely the issue.

Contrastive conjunction -며 (and/while).

5

그녀는 모욕적인 언사를 듣고 극도의 수치스러움을 감추지 못했다.

Hearing the insulting remarks, she could not hide her extreme sense of shame.

Expression -지 못하다 (cannot) with the noun form.

6

이러한 불평등한 조약에 서명한 것은 외교사에 남을 수치스러운 일이다.

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