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humiliation

B1 noun #46 가장 일반적인 12분 분량

humiliation

상위 46

At the A1 level, 'humiliation' is a very big and difficult word. You don't need to use it yet, but you can understand it as 'feeling very, very bad and sad because people are laughing at you.' Imagine you fall down in front of your whole class and everyone laughs. You feel small and you want to hide. That feeling is humiliation. It is much stronger than just being 'sad.' It is when you feel like you are not good or not important because of what happened. In simple English, we might say 'I felt so bad because everyone saw me fail.' As you learn more, you will use 'humiliation' to describe this big, bad feeling of being shamed in front of others. For now, just remember: Humiliation = feeling very small and ashamed because of other people.

For A2 learners, 'humiliation' is a noun that describes a very strong feeling of shame. It usually happens when you do something wrong or fail at something, and other people see it. It is different from 'embarrassment.' Embarrassment is a small feeling, like when you trip. Humiliation is a big feeling, like when someone is mean to you in front of your friends and makes you feel worthless. You might hear this word in stories or on the news. For example, 'The team felt humiliation after they lost 10-0.' This means they didn't just lose; they felt very ashamed because the loss was so bad. You can use it with verbs like 'feel' or 'suffer.' It's a good word to use when 'sad' or 'embarrassed' isn't strong enough to describe a bad social situation.

At the B1 level, you should understand 'humiliation' as the act of making someone feel ashamed or foolish, especially in public. It is a noun that often appears in contexts like sports, politics, and personal relationships. You should be able to distinguish it from 'humility' (which is a good thing—being humble). Humiliation involves a loss of dignity. For example, if a teacher shouts at a student in front of the whole school, that is a humiliation for the student. You will often see it used in phrases like 'public humiliation' or 'the humiliation of defeat.' It is an uncountable noun when talking about the feeling, but can be countable (humiliations) when talking about specific events. It's an important word for describing social dynamics and how people treat each other unfairly.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'humiliation' to describe complex social and psychological states. You should understand that it involves a power imbalance—someone with more power is usually the one causing the humiliation. You can use it to discuss historical events, such as 'the national humiliation of a country after a war,' or professional situations, like 'the humiliation of being fired publicly.' You should also be familiar with related words like 'humiliate' (verb) and 'humiliating' (adjective). At this level, you can start using more sophisticated collocations like 'suffer a crushing humiliation' or 'inflict humiliation on someone.' You should also recognize that humiliation is a key theme in literature and film, often serving as a catalyst for a character's growth or descent into anger.

For C1 learners, 'humiliation' is a nuanced term used to analyze social structures, psychological trauma, and political history. You should understand the distinction between humiliation, shame, and guilt. Humiliation is often seen as an 'external' shame—it is what is done to you, whereas guilt is what you feel about your own actions. You can use 'humiliation' to discuss 'honor cultures' versus 'dignity cultures' and how the threat of humiliation acts as a social control mechanism. In writing, you should be able to use synonyms like 'ignominy,' 'mortification,' or 'abasement' to vary your register. You should also be able to discuss the long-term effects of humiliation on a person's psyche or a nation's identity, using it in complex sentences that explore the relationship between power, status, and self-worth.

At the C2 level, 'humiliation' is a tool for deep philosophical and sociological analysis. You can explore the 'ontological' impact of humiliation—how it can shatter a person's sense of being. You might discuss the 'politics of humiliation' in international relations, where symbolic acts are used to debase rivals. You should be able to use the word and its derivatives with absolute precision, recognizing the subtle differences between 'ritual humiliation,' 'systemic degradation,' and 'personal mortification.' At this level, you can also analyze the use of humiliation in 'theatre of the absurd' or dark comedy, where the breakdown of human dignity is used for artistic effect. Your usage should reflect an understanding of how humiliation intersects with concepts like agency, sovereignty, and the social contract.

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

humiliation 30초 만에

Humiliation is a deep sense of shame caused by a loss of dignity or public failure.
It is a social emotion that usually requires an audience to be fully felt.
The word comes from the Latin 'humus,' meaning to bring someone down to the ground.
It is a powerful motivator and a common theme in politics, sports, and literature.

The word humiliation refers to a profound and often painful emotional experience characterized by the loss of pride, dignity, or self-respect. At its core, humiliation is a social emotion; it rarely occurs in a vacuum and almost always requires an audience—whether real or imagined. When a person undergoes humiliation, they feel as though their status as a human being has been lowered in the eyes of others. This is reflected in the word's etymology, which traces back to the Latin word humus, meaning 'earth' or 'ground.' To humiliate someone is, quite literally, to bring them down to the ground.

The Social Component: Humiliation is distinct from shame in that shame is often internal—a feeling that one has failed their own standards. Humiliation, however, is often perceived as something done to a person by an external force or group. It is the public exposure of a perceived flaw or the forced submission to a degrading situation.

The athlete described the loss as a total humiliation after boasting about a guaranteed victory.

In modern contexts, we see humiliation used frequently in political discourse, sports, and social media. A 'humiliating defeat' in an election suggests not just a loss, but a loss so significant that it damages the candidate's reputation. In the digital age, 'public humiliation' has taken on new dimensions through viral videos or 'cancel culture,' where a person's mistakes are broadcast to millions, amplifying the sense of debasement. Psychologists often categorize humiliation as one of the most intense human emotions because it attacks the very foundation of the self.

Historical Context: Historically, humiliation was used as a formal tool of justice. Devices like the pillory or the stocks were designed specifically to facilitate public humiliation, forcing a wrongdoer to stand in a public square while citizens mocked them. This shows that society has long understood the power of humiliation as a deterrent and a punishment.

She felt a deep sense of humiliation when her private emails were read aloud during the meeting.

Understanding humiliation also requires looking at power dynamics. It is often an exercise of power where one party seeks to assert dominance by making the other feel small. This can occur in workplaces (a boss berating an employee in front of the team), in schools (bullying), or in international relations (one nation imposing 'humiliating' terms of surrender on another). Because it is so damaging, the fear of humiliation is a primary motivator in human behavior, often preventing people from taking risks or speaking their minds.

The treaty was seen as a national humiliation that fueled resentment for decades.

Cultural Nuance: In 'honor cultures,' humiliation is often seen as a fate worse than death, requiring immediate and sometimes violent restoration of honor. In 'dignity cultures,' while still painful, humiliation is more often addressed through legal or social mediation.

He couldn't bear the humiliation of having to ask his younger brother for money.

Ultimately, humiliation is a word that describes the intersection of personal identity and social standing. It is a tool of control, a consequence of failure, and a deeply felt internal state that reminds us how much we value the respect of our peers.

Using the word humiliation correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and the typical verbs and adjectives that accompany it. It is frequently the object of verbs like 'suffer,' 'endure,' 'face,' or 'avoid.' Because it describes an experience, it is often modified by adjectives that indicate the intensity or the public nature of the event.

Common Verb Pairings: You 'suffer humiliation' when something bad happens to you. You 'inflict humiliation' when you make someone else feel ashamed. You might 'risk humiliation' by trying something difficult in public.

To avoid further humiliation, the general ordered a quiet retreat under the cover of darkness.

Adjectives are crucial for adding color to the word. 'Public humiliation' is perhaps the most common collocation, emphasizing that others witnessed the shame. 'Total' or 'complete' humiliation suggests a failure in every possible way. 'Deep' or 'profound' humiliation refers to the internal emotional weight of the experience. 'National' humiliation is used when an entire country feels shamed by an event, such as a diplomatic failure or a loss in a major sporting event like the World Cup.

Prepositional Usage: We often use 'of' to describe the source (the humiliation of defeat) or 'at' to describe the cause (his humiliation at being passed over for promotion).

The humiliation of having to apologize publicly was more than he could stand.

In formal writing, 'humiliation' is a powerful tool for describing social and political dynamics. For example, 'The policy was designed to cause maximum humiliation to the opposing party.' In more casual settings, it might be used hyperbolically: 'It was such a humiliation when my phone rang during the movie.' However, even in casual use, it carries a heavier weight than 'embarrassment.' If you say you were humiliated, you are communicating a much deeper level of pain than if you simply say you were embarrassed.

The team's 7-0 loss was a crushing humiliation in front of their home fans.

Sentence Patterns: [Subject] suffered the humiliation of [Gerund/Noun].
[Event] was a [Adjective] humiliation for [Person/Group].
To [Verb] someone is a form of humiliation.

He felt the sting of humiliation as the crowd began to jeer.

When constructing sentences, think about the power balance. Humiliation often implies that someone is being made to feel small by someone else who is 'above' them, whether in status, skill, or numbers. This makes it a very effective word for describing bullying, unfair treatment, or overwhelming defeat.

You will encounter the word humiliation in a variety of high-stakes environments. It is a staple of news reporting, particularly in the realms of politics and international diplomacy. When a government is forced to reverse a major policy or when a leader is caught in a scandal, journalists often use 'humiliation' to describe the blow to their authority. It captures the essence of a public fall from grace.

In Sports Media: Sports commentators love this word. It is used when a top-tier team loses to a much weaker opponent, or when a player makes a glaring mistake on a big stage. Headlines like 'The Humiliation in London' or 'A Night of Humiliation for the Champions' are common after unexpected results.

The newspaper headline screamed about the humiliation of the national team.

In literature and film, humiliation is a powerful plot device. Think of stories where a character is bullied at school or shamed by a high-society group. These scenes are designed to make the audience feel empathy for the character's suffering. The 'humiliation of the protagonist' is a classic trope used to build tension before a character's eventual redemption or revenge. It is also a central theme in many psychological thrillers and dramas that explore the darker sides of human interaction.

In Legal and Human Rights Contexts: The word appears in discussions about human rights and the treatment of prisoners. 'Degrading treatment and humiliation' are often cited in international law as violations of human dignity. Here, the word takes on a very serious, legalistic tone.

The prisoners were subjected to daily humiliation by the guards.

In everyday conversation, people use 'humiliation' to describe their most embarrassing moments, though often with a sense of exaggeration. However, in professional settings, it is used more carefully. A manager might talk about the 'humiliation of a failed product launch,' or a scientist might describe the 'humiliation of having a major paper retracted.' In these cases, it refers to the loss of professional standing and the public admission of error.

He couldn't face the humiliation of returning to his hometown after the business failed.

In Academic Discourse: Sociologists and historians study 'humiliation' as a driver of conflict. They look at how the humiliation of a group can lead to radicalization or war, making it a key term in political science and psychology.

The professor lectured on the role of collective humiliation in the rise of extremist movements.

Whether in a tabloid headline or a human rights report, 'humiliation' always signals a significant and painful loss of face that resonates far beyond the individual involved.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing humiliation with humility. While they share the same Latin root (humilis), their meanings in modern English are almost opposites in terms of social value. Humility is a positive trait; it is the quality of being humble and not thinking you are better than others. Humiliation, conversely, is a negative experience; it is the act of being shamed or made to feel inferior by others.

Humility vs. Humiliation: Correct: 'He showed great humility by admitting his mistake.' (Positive)
Correct: 'He suffered great humiliation when his mistake was mocked.' (Negative)

Confusing humiliation with humility can lead to very awkward sentences in a professional context.

Another common error is using 'humiliation' when 'embarrassment' would be more appropriate. Embarrassment is for minor social slips, like tripping in public or forgetting someone's name. Humiliation is for much deeper, more damaging experiences. If you say, 'It was a humiliation when I spilled my water,' it sounds overly dramatic unless you were at a very formal event and everyone laughed at you for ten minutes. Use 'humiliation' sparingly to maintain its impact.

Grammatical Errors: Learners often try to use 'humiliation' as a verb. Remember that the verb is 'humiliate.' You cannot 'humiliation someone.' You 'humiliate someone,' and they 'suffer humiliation.'

The bully tried to humiliate the new student, causing him much humiliation.

Misusing prepositions is also common. People sometimes say 'humiliation for' when they mean 'humiliation of.' While 'humiliation for the team' is acceptable, 'the humiliation of the team' is more standard when describing the event itself. Also, be careful with 'humiliated.' You are 'humiliated by' someone or 'humiliated at' a certain situation. Don't say 'humiliated from.'

She was deeply humiliated by the comments made about her work.

Spelling and Pronunciation: The 'h' is always pronounced. Some learners drop it, making it sound like 'umiliation.' Also, ensure you include the 'i' after the 'l'—it is hu-mil-i-a-tion, five syllables.

Proper pronunciation of humiliation is key to being understood in formal speeches.

By avoiding these common pitfalls—especially the confusion with humility and the over-application to minor events—you will use 'humiliation' with the precision and gravity it requires.

While humiliation is a powerful word, English offers several synonyms that allow for more precise descriptions of shaming or debasement. Choosing the right one depends on the intensity of the emotion and the context of the situation.

Mortification: This is a very strong synonym for humiliation, often used when the shame is so great that you feel like you want to 'die' (from the Latin mors, death). It is often used for personal social blunders. Example: 'To her mortification, she realized she had been talking to the wrong person for ten minutes.'

The mortification she felt was visible as her face turned bright red.

Ignominy is a more formal and literary term. it refers to public shame or disgrace, often on a large scale. It is frequently used in historical or political contexts. Abasement refers to the act of lowering someone's status or rank, often in a way that is humiliating. It is a more technical term for the process of making someone feel 'low.'

Degradation: Degradation implies a loss of quality or character, as well as status. If a person is treated like an animal, that is degradation. It is often used in human rights contexts. Example: 'The degradation of living in such poor conditions was a constant humiliation.'

The environmental degradation was a tragedy, but the human degradation was a crime.

Chagrin is a much milder term. It refers to a feeling of annoyance or distress caused by humiliation or disappointment. If you are 'chagrined,' you are bothered by a mistake, but you aren't necessarily devastated. Shame is the most general term, covering everything from a small child's guilt to a deep existential crisis. Unlike humiliation, shame can be private.

Much to his chagrin, he was the only one who didn't understand the joke.

Register Differences: Formal: Ignominy, Abasement, Degradation.
Neutral: Humiliation, Shame, Mortification.
Informal: Embarrassment, 'Getting burned', 'Getting clowned'.

The ignominy of his exile was recorded in all the history books.

By understanding these alternatives, you can tailor your language to the specific type of 'lowering' you are describing, whether it's a minor social slip or a major historical disgrace.

How Formal Is It?

격식체

중립

비격식체

Child friendly

속어

재미있는 사실

The root word 'humus' means 'earth' or 'soil.' So, when you humiliate someone, you are metaphorically pushing them into the dirt.

발음 가이드

UK /hjuːˌmɪl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/

US /hjuːˌmɪl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/

hju-mil-i-A-tion

라임이 맞는 단어

Creation Station Relation Nation Education Information Location Situation

자주 하는 실수

Dropping the initial 'h' (saying 'umiliation').
Skipping the 'i' after 'l' (saying 'humilation').
Putting the stress on the wrong syllable (e.g., the second syllable).

난이도

독해 3/5

Common in news and literature, usually clear from context.

쓰기 4/5

Requires careful distinction from 'humility' and 'embarrassment'.

말하기 3/5

Five syllables make it a bit of a mouthful, but it's a useful word.

듣기 3/5

Distinctive sound, though the 'h' can be soft in some accents.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

Shame Embarrassed Proud Dignity Humble

다음에 배울 것

Mortification Ignominy Abasement Degradation Resilience

고급

Ontological Subjugation Disenfranchisement Abjection Stigmatization

알아야 할 문법

Noun vs. Verb

Use 'humiliation' (noun) for the state and 'humiliate' (verb) for the action.

Uncountable vs. Countable

Use 'much humiliation' for the feeling, but 'many humiliations' for specific events.

Adjective formation

The situation is 'humiliating' (active), but the person feels 'humiliated' (passive).

Preposition 'of'

Always use 'the humiliation of [something]' to describe the cause.

Preposition 'by'

Use 'humiliated by [someone]' to show the agent of the action.

수준별 예문

He felt humiliation when he fell down.

Il a ressenti de l'humiliation quand il est tombé.

Noun used as the object of 'felt'.

The big loss was a humiliation for the team.

La grosse défaite était une humiliation pour l'équipe.

Noun used after 'was'.

She does not like humiliation.

Elle n'aime pas l'humiliation.

Direct object of 'like'.

It was a moment of humiliation.

C'était un moment d'humiliation.

Used in a prepositional phrase 'of humiliation'.

No one wants to feel humiliation.

Personne ne veut ressentir d'humiliation.

Infinitive phrase object.

The teacher avoided the humiliation of the student.

Le professeur a évité l'humiliation de l'élève.

Possessive structure 'of the student'.

Humiliation makes people cry.

L'humiliation fait pleurer les gens.

Noun as the subject.

Is humiliation a bad feeling?

L'humiliation est-elle un mauvais sentiment ?

Interrogative sentence subject.

He suffered a public humiliation at the party.

Il a subi une humiliation publique à la fête.

Adjective 'public' modifying the noun.

The humiliation of losing the race was hard.

L'humiliation de perdre la course était dure.

Gerund phrase 'of losing the race' modifying the noun.

She couldn't stand the humiliation anymore.

Elle ne pouvait plus supporter l'humiliation.

Object of the phrasal verb 'stand'.

They faced humiliation after the secret was told.

Ils ont fait face à l'humiliation après que le secret a été révélé.

Verb 'faced' taking the noun as an object.

The movie showed the humiliation of the poor man.

Le film montrait l'humiliation du pauvre homme.

Definite article 'the' used with the noun.

His humiliation was clear to everyone in the room.

Son humiliation était claire pour tout le monde dans la pièce.

Possessive adjective 'his' modifying the noun.

To avoid humiliation, he stayed at home.

Pour éviter l'humiliation, il est resté à la maison.

Infinitive of purpose 'To avoid'.

The bully enjoyed the humiliation of others.

La brute appréciait l'humiliation des autres.

Plural possessive 'of others'.

The politician resigned to avoid further humiliation.

Le politicien a démissionné pour éviter une humiliation supplémentaire.

Adjective 'further' used for degree.

The team's defeat was a total humiliation.

La défaite de l'équipe a été une humiliation totale.

Adjective 'total' emphasizing the noun.

She felt a deep sense of humiliation after the critique.

Elle a ressenti un profond sentiment d'humiliation après la critique.

Phrase 'sense of' used with the noun.

Public humiliation is often used as a form of social control.

L'humiliation publique est souvent utilisée comme forme de contrôle social.

Compound subject with 'public'.

He had to endure the humiliation of asking for help.

Il a dû endurer l'humiliation de demander de l'aide.

Verb 'endure' often pairs with 'humiliation'.

The humiliation she suffered was completely unnecessary.

L'humiliation qu'elle a subie était complètement inutile.

Relative clause 'she suffered' modifying the noun.

They were spared the humiliation of a trial.

On leur a épargné l'humiliation d'un procès.

Passive voice 'were spared'.

The book explores the theme of humiliation in childhood.

Le livre explore le thème de l'humiliation dans l'enfance.

Noun used as part of a thematic description.

The treaty was regarded as a national humiliation by the citizens.

Le traité était considéré comme une humiliation nationale par les citoyens.

Passive construction 'was regarded as'.

He couldn't get over the humiliation of being passed over for promotion.

Il n'arrivait pas à se remettre de l'humiliation d'avoir été écarté pour la promotion.

Gerund phrase 'of being passed over'.

The ritual humiliation of new recruits is now banned in the army.

L'humiliation rituelle des nouvelles recrues est désormais interdite dans l'armée.

Adjective 'ritual' describing a specific type.

She faced the humiliation with remarkable dignity.

Elle a affronté l'humiliation avec une dignité remarquable.

Contrast between 'humiliation' and 'dignity'.

The article discusses the psychological impact of chronic humiliation.

L'article traite de l'impact psychologique de l'humiliation chronique.

Adjective 'chronic' indicating duration.

He inflicted humiliation on his rivals at every opportunity.

Il infligeait l'humiliation à ses rivaux à chaque occasion.

Verb 'inflicted' followed by 'on'.

The humiliation was so intense that he considered moving away.

L'humiliation était si intense qu'il a envisagé de déménager.

So...that result clause.

Social media has made public humiliation much easier to achieve.

Les réseaux sociaux ont rendu l'humiliation publique beaucoup plus facile à réaliser.

Causative structure with 'made'.

The philosopher argued that humiliation is the most destructive of human emotions.

Le philosophe a soutenu que l'humiliation est la plus destructrice des émotions humaines.

Superlative 'most destructive' modifying the noun's context.

The systemic humiliation of the minority group led to widespread unrest.

L'humiliation systémique du groupe minoritaire a conduit à une agitation généralisée.

Adjective 'systemic' indicating a structural issue.

She wrote a memoir about surviving years of domestic humiliation.

Elle a écrit ses mémoires sur la survie à des années d'humiliation domestique.

Compound noun 'domestic humiliation'.

The court ruled that the search was a gratuitous humiliation of the suspect.

Le tribunal a jugé que la fouille était une humiliation gratuite du suspect.

Adjective 'gratuitous' meaning unnecessary.

His career ended in the ignominy of public humiliation.

Sa carrière s'est terminée dans l'ignominie de l'humiliation publique.

Synonym 'ignominy' used alongside 'humiliation'.

The diplomat sought to spare his country the humiliation of a forced apology.

Le diplomate a cherché à épargner à son pays l'humiliation d'excuses forcées.

Double object verb 'spare'.

There is a fine line between corrective discipline and psychological humiliation.

Il y a une ligne ténue entre la discipline corrective et l'humiliation psychologique.

Comparison using 'between...and'.

The play satirizes the ritualized humiliations of corporate life.

La pièce satirise les humiliations ritualisées de la vie en entreprise.

Plural form 'humiliations' referring to specific acts.

The existential humiliation of the protagonist is a recurring motif in Kafka's work.

L'humiliation existentielle du protagoniste est un motif récurrent dans l'œuvre de Kafka.

Adjective 'existential' used in literary analysis.

He analyzed the subtle humiliations inherent in the class structure of the era.

Il a analysé les humiliations subtiles inhérentes à la structure de classe de l'époque.

Adjective 'inherent' following the noun.

The collapse of the regime was accompanied by the symbolic humiliation of its leaders.

L'effondrement du régime s'est accompagné de l'humiliation symbolique de ses dirigeants.

Adjective 'symbolic' indicating non-physical shame.

The author explores how humiliation can be internalized as a form of self-loathing.

L'auteur explore comment l'humiliation peut être intériorisée comme une forme de haine de soi.

Passive voice 'be internalized'.

The treaty's terms were a calculated humiliation designed to prevent future rearmament.

Les termes du traité étaient une humiliation calculée conçue pour empêcher un réarmement futur.

Adjective 'calculated' meaning intentional.

The sheer humiliation of the situation left him speechless for several minutes.

L'humiliation pure et simple de la situation l'a laissé sans voix pendant plusieurs minutes.

Intensifier 'sheer' used with the noun.

Sociologists study how humiliation acts as a catalyst for radicalization in disenfranchised youth.

Les sociologues étudient comment l'humiliation agit comme un catalyseur de la radicalisation chez les jeunes marginalisés.

Noun as the subject of the verb 'acts'.

The performance piece was a meditation on the degradation and humiliation of the human body.

La performance était une méditation sur la dégradation et l'humiliation du corps humain.

Coordinated nouns 'degradation and humiliation'.

자주 쓰는 조합

Public humiliation

Suffer humiliation

Deep humiliation

Avoid humiliation

Total humiliation

Sense of humiliation

National humiliation

Endure humiliation

Inflict humiliation

Crushing humiliation

자주 쓰는 구문

The humiliation of defeat

A ritual humiliation

To face humiliation

A source of humiliation

Beyond humiliation

Save someone from humiliation

A moment of humiliation

Feel the sting of humiliation

Subjected to humiliation

The ultimate humiliation

자주 혼동되는 단어

humiliation vs Humility

Humility is a positive trait (being humble); humiliation is a negative experience (being shamed).

humiliation vs Embarrassment

Embarrassment is for minor slips; humiliation is for deep attacks on dignity.

humiliation vs Shame

Shame is often internal and private; humiliation is usually external and public.

관용어 및 표현

"Eat humble pie"

To admit that you were wrong and apologize, often in a humiliating way.

After his prediction failed, he had to eat humble pie.

Informal

"Lose face"

To lose the respect of others; to be humiliated.

The general was afraid to lose face in front of his troops.

Neutral

"Dragged through the mud"

To have one's reputation unfairly damaged in a humiliating way.

Her name was dragged through the mud during the divorce.

Informal

"Hang one's head in shame"

To feel very ashamed or humiliated.

He hung his head in shame after the truth came out.

Neutral

"Bring someone down a peg or two"

To humiliate someone who is acting too proud.

The loss really brought him down a peg or two.

Informal

"Make a fool of oneself"

To behave in a way that makes one look stupid and feel humiliated.

I really made a fool of myself at the party last night.

Informal

"With one's tail between one's legs"

In a humiliated or defeated way.

He left the meeting with his tail between his legs.

Informal

"Rub someone's nose in it"

To repeatedly remind someone of a humiliating mistake they made.

I know I failed, you don't have to rub my nose in it.

Informal

"A slap in the face"

An unexpected rejection or humiliation.

Not being invited was a real slap in the face.

Informal

"Wash one's dirty linen in public"

To discuss private, humiliating matters in front of others.

They shouldn't wash their dirty linen in public like that.

Informal

혼동하기 쉬운

humiliation vs Humility

They share the same root 'humil-'.

Humility is a virtue where you don't act superior. Humiliation is a trauma where others make you feel inferior.

He showed humility by listening, but he felt humiliation when he was mocked.

humiliation vs Mortification

Both mean extreme shame.

Mortification is often used for personal social errors ('I wanted to die of embarrassment'). Humiliation is often more about power and status.

Her mortification at the party was high, but the prisoner's humiliation was a human rights issue.

humiliation vs Abasement

Both involve lowering status.

Abasement is a more formal, technical term for the act of lowering. Humiliation focuses on the emotional experience of the person being lowered.

The abasement of the king was a calculated humiliation.

humiliation vs Chagrin

Both involve distress over failure.

Chagrin is much milder, like being annoyed at yourself. Humiliation is much deeper and more painful.

To his chagrin, he forgot his keys; to his humiliation, he was fired in front of the team.

humiliation vs Degradation

Both involve loss of dignity.

Degradation often implies a physical or moral decline or being treated as less than human. Humiliation is the social/emotional feeling of that loss.

The degradation of the slums was a national humiliation.

문장 패턴

He felt [humiliation].

He felt humiliation.

It was a [adjective] humiliation.

It was a public humiliation.

The [noun] of [gerund] was a humiliation.

The humiliation of losing was hard.

[Subject] suffered the humiliation of [noun].

She suffered the humiliation of a public apology.

To avoid [humiliation], [subject] [verb].

To avoid humiliation, he stayed silent.

The [adjective] humiliation inflicted by [agent]...

The systemic humiliation inflicted by the guards was illegal.

A sense of [humiliation] washed over [person].

A sense of humiliation washed over the candidate.

[Noun] acts as a catalyst for [noun], rooted in [humiliation].

Radicalization acts as a catalyst for violence, often rooted in collective humiliation.

어휘 가족

명사

동사

형용사

사용법

frequency

Common in news, literature, and formal discussions; less common in very casual daily chat.

자주 하는 실수

Using 'humiliation' as a verb. → He humiliated me.
Humiliation is a noun. The verb form is 'humiliate.'
Confusing 'humiliation' with 'humility'. → He showed great humility.
Humility is the virtue of being humble. Humiliation is the pain of being shamed.
Saying 'humiliated from'. → Humiliated by the loss.
The correct preposition for the agent is 'by.'
Using 'humiliation' for minor social slips. → It was an embarrassment.
Humiliation is too strong for simple mistakes like spilling a drink.
Spelling it 'humilation'. → Humiliation
Don't forget the 'i' after the 'l'.

팁

Don't confuse with Humility

Always double-check if you mean the positive trait (humility) or the negative experience (humiliation).

Use with 'Public'

The phrase 'public humiliation' is very common and adds a lot of descriptive power to your writing.

Intensity

Use 'humiliation' when 'embarrassment' is too weak. It shows you understand the depth of the emotion.

Verb Pairing

Remember that people 'suffer' or 'endure' humiliation. These verbs emphasize the pain of the experience.

Sensitivity

Be careful using this word about real people, as it is a very strong and potentially hurtful term.

Syllable Count

Practice saying all five syllables clearly to ensure you are understood in formal settings.

Context Clues

Look for words like 'laughing,' 'mocking,' or 'defeat' nearby to confirm the meaning is 'humiliation'.

Historical Context

When reading history, 'humiliation' often refers to treaties or surrenders that were designed to shame a nation.

Internalization

Understand that 'humiliation' is often something done *to* someone, while 'shame' is something they feel *inside*.

Formal Situations

In legal or professional contexts, 'humiliation' is a serious charge and should be used with precision.

암기하기

기억법

Think of 'HUMAN' + 'GROUND' (Humus). Humiliation is when a HUMAN is pushed to the GROUND.

시각적 연상

Imagine a king being forced to take off his crown and sit in the mud while people point at him.

Word Web

Shame Public Dignity Defeat Status Audience Power Pain

챌린지

Try to use 'humiliation' in a sentence describing a scene from a movie you recently watched.

어원

Derived from the Late Latin 'humiliatio', which comes from the verb 'humiliare' (to humble). This in turn stems from the Latin 'humilis', meaning 'lowly' or 'on the ground'.

원래 의미: The act of making someone humble or bringing them down to a lower status.

Indo-European (Latin branch)

문화적 맥락

Be careful when using this word about others, as it implies a very deep level of pain. Avoid using it to describe people's appearances or personal tragedies unless you are being very serious.

In the UK and US, 'public humiliation' is a common term in tabloid journalism to describe celebrity scandals.

The 'Walk of Shame' in Game of Thrones is a literal depiction of ritual humiliation. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne focuses on the public humiliation of Hester Prynne. The 2014 World Cup match where Germany beat Brazil 7-1 is often called 'The Humiliation of Mineirão'.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Sports

A humiliating defeat
Crushing humiliation
Total humiliation on the pitch
Suffer a humiliation

Politics

National humiliation
Political humiliation
Avoid public humiliation
A humiliating climbdown

Personal Relationships

The humiliation of being dumped
Feel the sting of humiliation
Domestic humiliation
Private humiliation

Workplace

Professional humiliation
Humiliation in front of colleagues
Subjected to humiliation
Face the humiliation of failure

History/Law

Ritual humiliation
Degrading treatment and humiliation
The humiliation of the treaty
Public humiliation as punishment

대화 시작하기

"Have you ever seen a sports team suffer a total humiliation on live TV?"

"Do you think public humiliation is an effective way to stop people from doing bad things?"

"How do you think social media has changed the way people experience humiliation today?"

"In your culture, what is considered the ultimate humiliation for a person?"

"Can a person ever truly recover their dignity after a major public humiliation?"

일기 주제

Describe a time you felt a sense of humiliation. What did you learn from that difficult experience?

Write about a fictional character who faces a great humiliation. How do they react to the situation?

Compare the concepts of 'shame' and 'humiliation.' In what ways are they different in your own life?

Do you believe that 'ritual humiliation' (like hazing) should be banned in all organizations? Why or why not?

Reflect on a historical event that was a 'national humiliation' for a country. How did it change history?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

While humiliation is most strongly felt in public, it can be private if you feel that your dignity has been stripped away by another person, even without a crowd. However, the 'audience' is usually a key part of the definition.

In very rare contexts, like 'humility training' in some spiritual traditions, a form of controlled humiliation is used to break the ego. However, in general social contexts, it is considered harmful and negative.

'Humiliated' describes how a person feels (e.g., 'I felt humiliated'). 'Humiliating' describes the situation or thing that causes the feeling (e.g., 'That was a humiliating experience').

It is pronounced /hjuːˌmɪl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/. It has five syllables, and the main stress is on the fourth syllable 'a'.

Yes, it is a common word, especially in news, sports, and books. It is a B1 level word, meaning intermediate learners should know it.

It refers to an event that makes an entire country feel ashamed, such as a major military defeat or a failed international event.

You can, but it sounds dramatic. If you trip and fall, 'embarrassment' is usually better. If you trip and fall and everyone laughs for a long time, 'humiliation' might fit.

The verb form is 'humiliate.' For example: 'He tried to humiliate me in front of my friends.'

Yes! Both come from the Latin word for 'earth' or 'ground.' Humiliation is literally being brought down to the ground.

Common synonyms include shame, mortification, ignominy, and abasement.