At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '羞恥心' (shūchishin) yet, as it is quite advanced. Instead, you focus on the simple word '恥ずかしい' (hazukashii), which means 'embarrassing' or 'shy.' Imagine you are at a party and you don't know anyone. You might feel 'hazukashii.' This word is an adjective. 'Shūchishin' is the noun version of this feeling. It is like the difference between saying 'I am hungry' and 'I have hunger.' For now, just remember that Japanese people value being modest and not being too loud in public. This feeling of 'being careful not to be embarrassing' is the start of understanding 'shūchishin.' You might see the character '恥' (shame) in many places, so learning to recognize it is a great first step for a beginner.
At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more nouns for feelings. '羞恥心' (shūchishin) is a noun that means 'a sense of shame.' You can think of it as the 'feeling of wanting to hide' when you do something wrong or silly. In Japan, this is an important social concept. If a child runs around without clothes, parents might say they need to learn 'shūchishin.' It's not a bad thing; it's a way to learn how to live with other people. You might hear it in simple anime scenes where a character gets very red in the face. A good way to use it at this level is with '感じる' (kanjiru), which means 'to feel.' For example: '羞恥心を感じる' (I feel a sense of shame). This sounds more mature than just saying 'hazukashii.'
At the B1 level, you should begin to understand that '羞恥心' (shūchishin) is a key part of Japanese culture. It is the internal 'brake' that stops people from being rude or acting inappropriately in public. While 'hazukashii' is a temporary feeling, 'shūchishin' is a part of your character. A person with 'strong shūchishin' is very modest and careful. A person with 'no shūchishin' might be seen as loud or disrespectful. You will see this word in news reports about people who did something bad and didn't apologize properly. You can also use it to describe yourself in more detail, like saying '羞恥心を捨てて頑張ります' (I will throw away my shame and do my best), which is a common way to say you'll try something brave or embarrassing for a good cause.
By B2, you are expected to use '羞恥心' (shūchishin) in discussions about social behavior and psychology. It is a noun that describes the psychological barrier between the private self and the public gaze. You should be able to distinguish it from '罪悪感' (zaiakukan - guilt). Shame (shūchishin) is about being seen by others, while guilt is about your own conscience. In Japanese literature and essays, authors often talk about the 'loss of shūchishin' in modern society due to social media and anonymity. You can use complex verbs with it, such as '羞恥心に苛まれる' (to be tormented by shame) or '羞恥心を煽る' (to incite shame in someone). It is a powerful word to use when debating topics like public manners or internet ethics.
At the C1 level, you should appreciate the philosophical and historical depth of '羞恥心' (shūchishin). It is linked to the 'Culture of Shame' (恥の文化) concept popularized by Ruth Benedict, though modern scholars often debate this. You should be able to use the word to analyze characters in literature, such as those in the novels of Mishima or Dazai, where the struggle with one's sense of shame is a central theme. You can discuss how 'shūchishin' acts as a form of social control in Japan, often replacing the need for strict legal punishments. In your writing, you might use it to describe the subtle nuances of human dignity and the vulnerability that comes with being exposed to the 'other.' It is no longer just a feeling; it is a lens through which you view social structures.
At the C2 level, '羞恥心' (shūchishin) becomes a tool for sophisticated socio-psychological analysis. You can discuss the evolution of the term from its Confucian roots (like '羞悪の心') to its modern usage in digital ethics and 'cancel culture.' You should be able to use it in highly formal contexts, such as legal or academic papers, to describe the 'right to privacy' or 'the psychological impact of public shaming.' You can also explore the paradox of 'shūchishin'—how it can both preserve social harmony and lead to extreme social withdrawal (hikikomori). Your mastery of the word includes knowing its literary synonyms like '羞恥' (shūchi) or '恥辱' (chijoku) and knowing exactly when the nuance of 'heart' (心) in 'shūchishin' adds the necessary human element to your discourse.

羞恥心 30초 만에

  • 羞恥心 (shūchishin) means a 'sense of shame' or 'modesty.'
  • It acts as an internal moral and social 'brake' in Japanese culture.
  • Commonly used with verbs like 'kanjiru' (feel) and 'suteru' (discard).
  • It is a key concept in Japanese psychology, ethics, and popular media.

The Japanese word 羞恥心 (しゅうちしん - shūchishin) is a profound and multi-layered noun that translates most directly to 'a sense of shame' or 'shyness.' However, in the context of Japanese culture and psychology, it encompasses much more than a simple feeling of embarrassment. It refers to the internal moral compass or the psychological barrier that prevents an individual from acting in a way that would be considered disgraceful or socially unacceptable. It is the 'heart' (心) that feels 'shame' (羞恥). Unlike 'shame' in some Western contexts which might be purely negative, 羞恥心 is often viewed as a necessary social lubricant and a sign of a person's character and awareness of social harmony.

Etymological Breakdown
The first character 羞 (shū) means to feel shy or to be ashamed, often used in formal or literary contexts. The second character 恥 (chi) is the common character for 'shame' or 'dishonor,' found in the word 'hazukashii.' The final character 心 (shin) means heart, mind, or spirit. Together, they describe the internal faculty of feeling shame.
Social Function
In Japanese society, having a healthy level of 羞恥心 means you are self-aware. A person who lacks this—described as 羞恥心がない (shūchishin ga nai)—is often viewed as brazen, rude, or even dangerous to the social order because they do not fear the social consequences of their actions.

彼は羞恥心を忘れて、人前で大声で泣いた。
(He forgot his sense of shame and cried loudly in public.)

The usage of this word spans from daily conversations about being shy to deep philosophical discussions about human nature. For example, if someone is dressed very provocatively in a conservative setting, an onlooker might whisper about their lack of 羞恥心. Conversely, a child learning to cover themselves after a bath is said to be developing their 羞恥心. It is an essential developmental milestone in Japanese upbringing.

若者は羞恥心を捨てて、夢を追いかけるべきだという意見もある。
(Some believe young people should cast aside their sense of shame and pursue their dreams.)

Psychological Context
In psychology, this term is used to describe the inhibitory response that occurs when one's private self is exposed to the public eye. It is the protective layer of the ego.

Ultimately, 羞恥心 is what keeps people from acting purely on impulse. It is the 'brakes' of the social self. When you see someone doing something incredibly brave or incredibly foolish, you might analyze it through the lens of whether they have 'conquered' or 'lost' their sense of shame. It is a word that describes the very fabric of social interaction in Japan.

Using 羞恥心 (shūchishin) correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a noun. It is most commonly paired with verbs like 感じる (kanjiru - to feel), 捨てる (suteru - to throw away), 煽る (aoru - to incite/fan), and 欠如する (kejyoryu suru - to lack). Because it represents an internal state, it often appears in sentences describing emotional struggle or social judgment.

Common Verb Pairings
  • 羞恥心を覚える: To feel a sense of shame (more formal than kanjiru).
  • 羞恥心に耐える: To endure the feeling of shame.
  • 羞恥心をさらけ出す: To expose one's shame.

失敗したとき、猛烈な羞恥心に襲われた。
(When I failed, I was attacked by an intense sense of shame.)

In formal writing, 羞恥心 is often used to discuss social ethics. For instance, in an essay about the internet, one might write about how anonymity reduces 羞恥心, leading to more aggressive behavior. In this context, it acts as a synonym for 'moral restraint.' It is not just about being embarrassed because you tripped; it is about the deep feeling of being 'exposed' as something less than what you wish to be seen as.

彼女は羞恥心が強すぎて、人前で話すことができない。
(She has such a strong sense of shame that she cannot speak in public.)

Note how in the example above, 羞恥心 functions like 'extreme shyness.' It prevents action. On the other hand, in a competitive environment, one might be told to 羞恥心を捨てろ (throw away your shame) to perform better or ask difficult questions. This highlights the word's versatility—it can be a protective barrier or a restrictive shackle depending on the context.

While 羞恥心 (shūchishin) is a somewhat formal-sounding word, it is surprisingly common in Japanese popular culture, media, and academic discourse. One of the most famous modern references is the J-pop idol group named Shuchishin, which was active in the late 2000s. The group's name was ironic, as the members were known for their 'baka' (silly/foolish) personas on variety shows, appearing to lack the very sense of shame their name suggested. This catapulted the word into everyday vocabulary for a generation of Japanese speakers.

バラエティ番組では、芸人が羞恥心を捨てて笑いを取る。
(On variety shows, comedians throw away their sense of shame to get laughs.)

In anime and manga, you will often hear this word during scenes of romantic confession or when a character is caught in an embarrassing situation. A character might shout, '羞恥心はないのか!' (Do you have no sense of shame?!) when another character does something socially outrageous. It is also a staple in psychological thrillers where the plot revolves around exposing a character's deepest, most shameful secrets.

News and Media
News anchors use this word when reporting on scandals involving public figures. They might comment on whether the individual showed a 'lack of 羞恥心' in their conduct, which serves as a moral judgment on behalf of the public.

In literary contexts, such as the works of Osamu Dazai or Natsume Soseki, 羞恥心 is a recurring theme. It is the weight of the self-conscious mind trying to navigate a world of rigid social expectations. Reading these classics will give you a deeper appreciation for how central this concept is to the Japanese identity. Whether it's a comedian on TV or a protagonist in a novel, 羞恥心 is the invisible thread connecting their actions to the expectations of society.

For English speakers, the most common mistake is using 羞恥心 (shūchishin) where a simple adjective like 恥ずかしい (hazukashii) would suffice. While they both relate to shame, they are used differently. Hazukashii is an adjective describing a feeling ('I am embarrassed'), while 羞恥心 is the abstract concept of the 'sense of shame' itself. You cannot say 'I am shūchishin'; you must say 'I feel shūchishin' or 'My shūchishin was triggered.'

Confusion with Related Terms
  • 羞恥心 vs. 屈辱 (kutsujoku): 羞恥心 is an internal sense of modesty or shame. Kutsujoku is 'humiliation'—usually something inflicted upon you by others.
  • 羞恥心 vs. 罪悪感 (zaiakukan): 羞恥心 is about how you look in the eyes of others (social shame). Zaiakukan is 'guilt'—about your own internal moral failure regardless of who sees it.

❌ 私は羞恥心です。
✅ 私は羞恥心を感じています。
(Correct: I am feeling a sense of shame.)

Another mistake is overusing it in casual conversation. Since it is a 'big' word, using it to describe dropping your ice cream might sound overly dramatic or even sarcastic. Reserve it for deeper emotional states or when discussing behavior and character. Additionally, learners often forget that 羞恥心 is a noun and needs the appropriate particles (usually を or が) to function in a sentence.

Lastly, don't confuse 羞恥心 with 自尊心 (jisonshin - self-esteem). While they are both 'shin' words about the self, they are opposites in a way. High 羞恥心 makes you hide; high 自尊心 makes you stand tall. Understanding these distinctions will help you sound much more like a native speaker.

Japanese has a rich vocabulary for emotions, and while 羞恥心 (shūchishin) is specific, there are several alternatives depending on the level of intensity and the context of the shame.

Direct Synonyms and Variations
  • 恥 (haji): The most general term for shame or disgrace. It is often used in the context of 'bringing shame to the family' (家の恥).
  • 恥じらい (hajirai): A much softer, more positive word meaning 'bashfulness' or 'modesty.' It's often used to describe a young person's innocent shyness.
  • 面目 (menboku): Literally 'face.' Used in terms like 面目を失う (to lose face). This is social shame specifically related to one's reputation and standing.

彼女の恥じらいのある笑顔が印象的だった。
(Her bashful smile was memorable.)

If you want to describe the physical feeling of shame, you might use 身の置き所がない (mi no okidokoro ga nai), which literally means 'having no place to put oneself,' describing such intense embarrassment that you want to disappear. Another alternative is 赤面 (sekimen), meaning 'turning red in the face,' which focuses on the physiological reaction to shame.

In more academic or literary settings, you might encounter 羞悪の心 (shūaku no shin), a term from Mencius (Confucianism) referring to the 'heart of shame and dislike' which is the beginning of righteousness. This shows just how deep the roots of 羞恥心 go in East Asian philosophy. By choosing the right synonym, you can precisely convey whether the shame is a cute blush, a social disaster, or a deep moral crisis.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The character '羞' (shū) contains the radical for 'sheep' (羊). In ancient China, sheep were used in rituals, and 'shame' was associated with the humility of the ritual participant.

발음 가이드

UK /ʃuːtʃiʃin/
US /ʃutʃiʃɪn/
Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'shūchishin,' the pitch typically starts high on 'shū' and stays relatively level, though it can vary by dialect.
라임이 맞는 단어
Jishin (confidence) Suishin (promotion) Koushin (update) Sanshin (strikeout) Kanshin (interest) Mushin (innocence) Hishin (flying) Tokushin (consent)
자주 하는 실수
  • Pronouncing 'shū' as a short 'shu'.
  • Pronouncing 'chi' like 'shi'.
  • Stress-accenting the 'chi' too heavily.
  • Treating the final 'n' as a hard English 'N'.
  • Forgetting the long vowel in the first syllable.

난이도

독해 4/5

The kanji '羞' is relatively rare outside of this word, making it harder to read for beginners.

쓰기 5/5

Writing '羞' and '恥' correctly requires attention to stroke order and radicals.

말하기 3/5

The pronunciation is straightforward, but knowing when to use the noun vs. the adjective is tricky.

듣기 3/5

It is easily confused with other 'shin' words like 'jishin' (confidence) if not heard clearly.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

恥ずかしい (hazukashii) 心 (kokoro) 感じる (kanjiru) 捨てる (suteru) 自分 (jibun)

다음에 배울 것

自尊心 (jisonshin) 罪悪感 (zaiakukan) 劣等感 (rettōkan) 虚栄心 (kyoeishin) 謙遜 (kenson)

고급

厚顔無恥 (kōganmuchi) 羞悪の心 (shūaku no shin) 面目躍如 (menbokuyakujo) 忸怩たる思い (jikujitaru omoi) 忸怩 (jikuji)

알아야 할 문법

Noun + を + 覚える (oboeru)

不快感を覚える。 (To feel a sense of discomfort.)

Noun + に + 苛まれる (sainamareru)

不安に苛まれる。 (To be tormented by anxiety.)

Noun + を + 捨てる (suteru)

プライドを捨てる。 (To throw away one's pride.)

Noun + に + 欠ける (kakeru)

配慮に欠ける。 (To lack consideration.)

Noun + が + 強い (tsuyoi)

責任感が強い。 (To have a strong sense of responsibility.)

수준별 예문

1

私は恥ずかしいです。

I am embarrassed.

A1 level uses 'hazukashii' instead of 'shūchishin'.

2

彼はとても恥ずかしがり屋です。

He is a very shy person.

Uses 'hazukashigariya' for a shy personality.

3

人前で話すのは恥ずかしい。

Speaking in front of people is embarrassing.

Basic 'A wa B' structure.

4

顔が赤くなりました。

My face turned red.

Describing the physical reaction to shame.

5

恥ずかしいから、見ないでください。

It's embarrassing, so please don't look.

Using 'kara' for reason.

6

これは私の恥です。

This is my shame.

Using the noun 'haji' simply.

7

間違いは恥ずかしくないよ。

Mistakes are not embarrassing.

Negative form of 'hazukashii'.

8

恥ずかしい思い出があります。

I have an embarrassing memory.

Noun modification with 'hazukashii'.

1

子供は羞恥心を学びます。

Children learn a sense of shame.

Basic noun + object particle 'o'.

2

彼は羞恥心を感じました。

He felt a sense of shame.

Using 'kanjiru' with 'shūchishin'.

3

羞恥心がない人は困ります。

People with no sense of shame are a problem.

Using 'nai' to show lack of something.

4

彼女は羞恥心で顔を赤らめた。

She blushed with a sense of shame.

Using 'de' to show the cause.

5

羞恥心を持つことは大切です。

Having a sense of shame is important.

Using 'motsu' (to hold/have).

6

人前で歌うのは、羞恥心があります。

Singing in public involves a sense of shame.

Using 'ga aru' to show existence.

7

羞恥心を忘れないでください。

Please do not forget your sense of shame.

Negative imperative form.

8

彼は少し羞恥心があります。

He has a bit of a sense of shame.

Using 'sukoshi' as an adverb.

1

羞恥心を捨てて、全力で踊った。

I threw away my sense of shame and danced with all my might.

The phrase 'shūchishin o suteru' is very common.

2

失敗して、猛烈な羞恥心に襲われた。

I failed and was attacked by an intense sense of shame.

Passive voice 'osowareta' (was attacked).

3

彼は羞恥心が強すぎて、自分の意見が言えない。

He has such a strong sense of shame that he can't say his own opinion.

Using 'tsuyosugiru' (too strong).

4

インターネットでは羞恥心が薄れがちだ。

On the internet, one's sense of shame tends to fade.

Using 'gachi' (tend to).

5

彼女は羞恥心を隠すために笑った。

She laughed to hide her sense of shame.

Using 'tame ni' for purpose.

6

人前で裸になるのは、羞恥心が許さない。

My sense of shame doesn't allow me to be naked in public.

Personification of 'shūchishin'.

7

羞恥心を煽るような広告は良くない。

Advertisements that incite a sense of shame are not good.

Using 'aoru' (to fan/incite).

8

彼は羞恥心に欠けている行動をとった。

He acted in a way that lacked a sense of shame.

Using 'kakete iru' (is lacking).

1

羞恥心は、人間が社会生活を送る上で不可欠な感情だ。

A sense of shame is an essential emotion for humans to lead a social life.

Using 'ue de' (in the process of).

2

その政治家は羞恥心というものを持っていないのだろうか。

I wonder if that politician has any sense of shame at all.

Using 'to iu mono' for emphasis.

3

自分の未熟さに、激しい羞恥心を覚えた。

I felt an intense sense of shame at my own immaturity.

Using 'oboeru' as a formal 'feel'.

4

羞恥心を刺激することで、購買意欲を高める手法がある。

There is a technique to increase the desire to buy by stimulating a sense of shame.

Using 'shigeki suru' (to stimulate).

5

彼は羞恥心に耐えかねて、その場を立ち去った。

Unable to bear the shame, he left the place.

Using 'taekanete' (unable to endure).

6

過度な羞恥心は、自己表現を妨げる原因となる。

Excessive sense of shame becomes a cause that hinders self-expression.

Formal academic structure.

7

日本文化における羞恥心の役割について考察する。

We will consider the role of the sense of shame in Japanese culture.

Using 'ni okeru' (in/at).

8

彼は羞恥心をかなぐり捨てて、必死に助けを求めた。

He threw away all sense of shame and desperately asked for help.

Using 'kanaguri suteru' (to cast off completely).

1

羞恥心は、内面的な自己と外面的な自己の乖離から生じる。

A sense of shame arises from the divergence between the inner self and the outer self.

Using 'kairi' (divergence/gap).

2

プライバシーの侵害は、個人の羞恥心を著しく傷つける行為だ。

Violation of privacy is an act that significantly wounds an individual's sense of shame.

Using 'ichijirushiku' (significantly).

3

彼は、自らの行為に対する羞恥心に苛まれている。

He is tormented by a sense of shame regarding his own actions.

Using 'sainamarete iru' (to be tormented).

4

近代化の過程で、伝統的な羞恥心の在り方が変容してきた。

In the process of modernization, the nature of the traditional sense of shame has transformed.

Using 'hen'yō' (transformation).

5

羞恥心の欠如は、道徳的退廃の兆候であると彼は主張した。

He argued that a lack of a sense of shame is a sign of moral decadence.

Using 'chōkō' (sign/omen).

6

匿名性の高い空間では、羞恥心の抑止力が働きにくい。

In highly anonymous spaces, the deterrent power of the sense of shame is less likely to function.

Using 'yokushiryoku' (deterrent power).

7

彼女の文学は、人間の根源的な羞恥心をテーマにしている。

Her literature takes the fundamental human sense of shame as its theme.

Using 'kongenteki' (fundamental/root).

8

羞恥心を克服することが、真の自由への第一歩である。

Overcoming the sense of shame is the first step toward true freedom.

Using 'kokufuku' (to overcome).

1

羞恥心という情動の遍在性は、進化心理学的な観点からも説明可能である。

The ubiquity of the emotion known as the sense of shame can be explained from an evolutionary psychological perspective.

Using 'henzaisei' (ubiquity).

2

公共の場における羞恥心の解体は、社会契約の崩壊を意味しかねない。

The dismantling of the sense of shame in public spaces could imply the collapse of the social contract.

Using 'kanemai' (could/might).

3

彼は羞恥心を盾にして、自らの真実を語ることを拒絶し続けた。

Using his sense of shame as a shield, he continued to refuse to speak his truth.

Metaphorical use of 'tate' (shield).

4

デジタル・タトゥーが個人の羞恥心を永続的に苛む現代社会の弊害。

The harmful effects of modern society where 'digital tattoos' permanently torment an individual's sense of shame.

Complex noun phrase structure.

5

羞恥心と自尊心の微妙な均衡が、健全なアイデンティティを形成する。

The delicate balance between the sense of shame and self-esteem forms a healthy identity.

Using 'kinkō' (balance/equilibrium).

6

法的な制裁よりも、羞恥心による社会的制裁の方が強力に作用する場合がある。

There are cases where social sanctions based on the sense of shame act more powerfully than legal sanctions.

Comparative 'yori mo... hō ga'.

7

羞恥心の源泉を辿れば、自己の存在を他者の眼差しの中に定位する人間の本質に行き着く。

If one traces the source of the sense of shame, one arrives at the human essence of positioning one's existence within the gaze of others.

Using 'teii' (positioning/orientation).

8

羞恥心を伴わない告白は、単なる自己呈示の変種に過ぎない。

A confession unaccompanied by a sense of shame is nothing more than a variant of self-presentation.

Using 'ni suginai' (nothing more than).

자주 쓰는 조합

羞恥心を捨てる
羞恥心を感じる
羞恥心がない
羞恥心に苛まれる
羞恥心を煽る
羞恥心を覚える
羞恥心をさらけ出す
猛烈な羞恥心
羞恥心の欠如
羞恥心を克服する

자주 쓰는 구문

羞恥心の塊

— A person who is extremely easily embarrassed or full of shame.

彼は羞恥心の塊のような人だ。

羞恥心をかなぐり捨てる

— To completely and decisively throw away one's sense of shame.

羞恥心をかなぐり捨てて、恋人に謝った。

羞恥心に火がつく

— To have one's sense of shame suddenly ignited or triggered.

古い日記を読まれて、羞恥心に火がついた。

羞恥心のカケラもない

— To not have even a fragment of a sense of shame.

彼には羞恥心のカケラも残っていない。

羞恥心が許さない

— One's own sense of shame won't permit a certain action.

そんな卑怯な真似は、私の羞恥心が許さない。

羞恥心を逆撫でする

— To rub someone's sense of shame the wrong way; to provoke it.

彼の言葉は、私の羞恥心を逆撫でした。

羞恥心を呼び覚ます

— To awaken a dormant sense of shame in someone.

彼の説教が、犯人の羞恥心を呼び覚ました。

羞恥心に震える

— To tremble with a sense of shame.

彼女は怒りと羞恥心に震えていた。

羞恥心を煽り立てる

— To vigorously incite or fan someone's sense of shame.

マスコミは彼の羞恥心を煽り立てた。

羞恥心を隠しきれない

— Unable to completely hide one's sense of shame.

彼は羞恥心を隠しきれず、顔を伏せた。

자주 혼동되는 단어

羞恥心 vs 恥 (haji)

Haji is the external shame/disgrace, while shūchishin is the internal sense of it.

羞恥心 vs 罪悪感 (zaiakukan)

Zaiakukan is guilt (internal moral failure), shūchishin is shame (social exposure).

羞恥心 vs 劣等感 (rettōkan)

Rettōkan is an inferiority complex, which can cause shame but is a different concept.

관용어 및 표현

"恥を晒す (haji o sarasu)"

— To expose one's shame or make a fool of oneself in public.

人前で恥を晒したくない。

Common
"穴があったら入りたい (ana ga attara hairitai)"

— I want to crawl into a hole (if there were one). Used when feeling extreme shame.

失敗して、穴があったら入りたい気分だ。

Common
"顔から火が出る (kao kara hi ga deru)"

— To be extremely embarrassed (so much that fire comes from your face).

顔から火が出るほど恥ずかしかった。

Common
"合わせる顔がない (awaseru kao ga nai)"

— Cannot face someone due to shame.

両親に合わせる顔がない。

Common
"末代までの恥 (matsudai made no haji)"

— A shame that lasts for generations.

これは末代までの恥だ。

Formal
"恥を忍ぶ (haji o shinobu)"

— To endure shame for a greater purpose.

恥を忍んで、敵に教えを請う。

Formal
"恥をかく (haji o kaku)"

— To be embarrassed or lose face.

みんなの前で恥をかいた。

Common
"聞くは一時の恥、聞かぬは一生の恥"

— Asking is a moment's shame; not asking is a lifetime's shame.

分からないことは聞きなさい。聞くは一時の恥だよ。

Proverb
"旅の恥はかき捨て (tabi no haji wa kakisute)"

— One can feel free to do anything away from home (discarding shame while traveling).

旅の恥はかき捨てと言うし、派手な服を着よう。

Proverb
"死ぬより恥ずかしい (shinu yori hazukashii)"

— More embarrassing than dying.

あんな格好をするなんて、死ぬより恥ずかしい。

Casual

혼동하기 쉬운

羞恥心 vs 自尊心 (jisonshin)

Both end in 'shin' and relate to the self.

Jisonshin is self-esteem (positive/neutral pride), while shūchishin is the sense of shame (modesty/inhibition).

自尊心が高い人は、羞恥心も強いことが多い。(People with high self-esteem often have a strong sense of shame too.)

羞恥心 vs 虚栄心 (kyoeishin)

Both relate to how one is seen by others.

Kyoeishin is vanity (wanting to look better than you are), while shūchishin is wanting to hide your flaws.

虚栄心が強いと、羞恥心も感じやすくなる。(Strong vanity makes it easier to feel shame.)

羞恥心 vs 向学心 (kōgakushin)

Sounds similar in rhythm.

Kōgakushin is the desire to learn. Completely unrelated meaning.

彼は向学心に燃えている。(He is burning with a desire to learn.)

羞恥心 vs 猜疑心 (saigishin)

Ends in 'shin' and describes a negative mental state.

Saigishin is suspiciousness or jealousy toward others.

彼は猜疑心が強く、誰も信じない。(He is very suspicious and trusts no one.)

羞恥心 vs 恐怖心 (kyōfushin)

Both are 'shin' words for basic emotions.

Kyōfushin is the sense of fear.

暗闇に恐怖心を感じる。(I feel fear in the dark.)

문장 패턴

B1

[Person] は [Event] に羞恥心を感じた。

彼は自分のミスに羞恥心を感じた。

B1

羞恥心を捨てて [Verb-te] みる。

羞恥心を捨てて踊ってみる。

B2

[Noun] は羞恥心を煽る。

その広告は女性の羞恥心を煽る。

B2

羞恥心に耐えかねて [Action]。

羞恥心に耐えかねて部屋を飛び出した。

C1

羞恥心の欠如が [Result] を招く。

羞恥心の欠如が社会の混乱を招く。

C1

[Event] は、羞恥心を著しく傷つける。

その発言は、彼女の羞恥心を著しく傷つけた。

C2

羞恥心という情動は [Definition]。

羞恥心という情動は、他者の存在を前提としている。

C2

羞恥心を盾に [Action]。

彼は羞恥心を盾に、対話を拒んだ。

어휘 가족

명사

羞恥 (shūchi - shame)
羞恥感 (shūchikan - feeling of shame)

동사

羞じる (hajiru - to feel shame - rare reading)
恥じる (hajiru - to feel shame - common reading)

형용사

羞恥的な (shūchiteki na - shameful/embarrassing)

관련

自尊心 (jisonshin)
罪悪感 (zaiakukan)
劣等感 (rettōkan)
虚栄心 (kyoeishin)
道徳心 (dōtokushin)

사용법

frequency

Common in psychological, social, and literary discussions. Also common in variety TV.

자주 하는 실수
  • Using 'shūchishin' as an adjective. Use 'hazukashii' or 'shūchiteki na'.

    Shūchishin is a noun. You cannot say 'Kore wa shūchishin desu' to mean 'This is embarrassing.'

  • Confusing it with 'zaiakukan' (guilt). Use 'shūchishin' for social shame and 'zaiakukan' for moral guilt.

    If you are embarrassed because you tripped, that's shūchishin. If you feel bad because you lied, that's zaiakukan.

  • Mispronouncing the long 'shū'. Shūchishin (long 'u').

    If you say 'shuchishin,' it might sound like 'shuchi' (knowledge), which changes the meaning entirely.

  • Using it for trivial things. Use 'hazukashii' for small things.

    Saying you have 'shūchishin' because you forgot a pen is too dramatic. Use it for deeper feelings.

  • Writing '恥' without the 'ear' radical. 耳 + 心 = 恥.

    Make sure the 'ear' radical on the left is clear.

Use with 'Suteru'

The phrase '羞恥心を捨てる' (to throw away one's shame) is a great way to describe being brave or doing something regardless of what others think. It shows a high level of Japanese proficiency.

Shame vs. Guilt

Remember that 'shūchishin' is social. It's about the 'eyes of others' (sekentei). If you did something bad and no one saw, you might feel 'zaiakukan' (guilt) but not 'shūchishin'.

The 'Shin' Family

Learn 'shūchishin' alongside 'jisonshin' (self-esteem) and 'kyoeishin' (vanity). They all describe different parts of the 'heart' (心) regarding the self.

The 'Shame Culture'

Understanding 'shūchishin' is a shortcut to understanding Japanese social behavior. It explains why people are often quiet on trains and polite to strangers.

Kanji Radical

The 'ear' radical in '恥' (shame) is a reminder that shame often comes from what we 'hear' others saying about us.

Variety Shows

Watch Japanese variety shows to see the word in action. Comedians often talk about 'losing their shūchishin' to perform stunts.

Shoe-Chee-Sheen

Use the mnemonic 'Shoe-Chee-Sheen' to remember the pronunciation. It's silly, but it works!

Avoid 'Watashi wa shūchishin desu'

Never say 'I am shūchishin.' Always use 'kanjiru' or 'ga aru.' This is a classic learner mistake.

Formal Contexts

In a job interview, you might say you want to overcome your 'shūchishin' to become a better salesperson.

Compound Nouns

You can add 'kan' (feeling) to make '羞恥感' (shūchikan). It's almost the same, but 'shūchishin' is more about the 'heart/mind' than just the 'feeling'.

암기하기

기억법

Think of 'Shoe-Chee-Sheen.' You feel shame when someone sees your 'Shoe' is covered in 'Chee' (cheese) and it has no 'Sheen' (shine).

시각적 연상

Imagine a person wearing a giant red heart (心) on their sleeve that turns bright red when they are embarrassed.

Word Web

Haji (Shame) Shin (Heart) Kokoro (Mind) Hazukashii (Embarrassing) Modesty Social Brake Morality Privacy

챌린지

Try to use 'shūchishin' in a sentence about a time you had to be brave. For example: 'I threw away my shūchishin and sang karaoke!'

어원

The word is composed of Chinese characters (Kanji) that were imported into Japan. '羞' (shū) originates from ancient Chinese characters representing food offered to gods, which later evolved to mean shy or ashamed. '恥' (chi) is composed of 'ear' (耳) and 'heart' (心), suggesting the heart reacting to what the ear hears (insults or rumors).

원래 의미: The original meaning in Classical Chinese was the internal feeling of dishonor or the moral heart that avoids evil.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

문화적 맥락

Be careful not to use this word to mock someone's genuine trauma. It is best used for social and moral contexts.

In English, 'shame' is often a heavy, traumatic word. In Japanese, 'shūchishin' is a more common, everyday concept associated with good manners.

Shuchishin (J-pop group) No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai The Chrysanthemum and the Sword by Ruth Benedict

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Public Etiquette

  • 公衆の面前での羞恥心
  • マナーと羞恥心
  • 羞恥心をわきまえる
  • 羞恥心のない振る舞い

Psychology

  • 羞恥心のメカニズム
  • 羞恥心とトラウマ
  • 羞恥心を癒やす
  • 羞恥心の自己評価

Romance

  • 告白の時の羞恥心
  • 羞恥心を上回る愛
  • 恥じらいと羞恥心
  • 羞恥心を隠す笑顔

Media/Internet

  • SNSでの羞恥心の低下
  • 羞恥心を煽る記事
  • 匿名の羞恥心
  • ネット上の羞恥心

Performance/Sports

  • 羞恥心を捨てて演じる
  • 羞恥心を克服する訓練
  • 舞台上の羞恥心
  • 羞恥心が成長を妨げる

대화 시작하기

"日本に来て、羞恥心を感じたことはありますか? (Have you ever felt a sense of shame since coming to Japan?)"

"羞恥心を捨てることは、良いことだと思いますか? (Do you think throwing away one's sense of shame is a good thing?)"

"あなたの国では、どんな時に羞恥心を感じますか? (In your country, when do people feel a sense of shame?)"

"SNSは人々の羞恥心を減らしていると思いますか? (Do you think social media is reducing people's sense of shame?)"

"羞恥心が強すぎて困った経験はありますか? (Have you ever had trouble because your sense of shame was too strong?)"

일기 주제

今日、少しだけ羞恥心を感じた瞬間について書いてください。 (Write about a moment today when you felt a slight sense of shame.)

もし羞恥心が全くなかったら、あなたの生活はどう変わりますか? (If you had no sense of shame at all, how would your life change?)

『羞恥心を捨てる』ことが必要だった経験を思い出して書いてください。 (Recall and write about an experience where it was necessary to 'throw away your sense of shame.')

日本文化における羞恥心の役割について、自分の考えをまとめてください。 (Summarize your thoughts on the role of the sense of shame in Japanese culture.)

羞恥心と自尊心のバランスについて、どう保つべきだと思いますか? (How do you think the balance between the sense of shame and self-esteem should be maintained?)

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

'Hazukashii' is an adjective used to describe the feeling of being embarrassed ('I feel shy/embarrassed'). 'Shūchishin' is a noun that describes the 'sense of shame' as a concept or a part of one's personality. For example, you can say 'I have shūchishin' but you wouldn't say 'I have hazukashii.'

Not necessarily. While it involves a painful feeling, having 'shūchishin' is often seen as a sign of being a decent, modest, and socially aware human being. Lacking it ('shūchishin ga nai') is usually considered a negative trait.

You can say '羞恥心がない' (shūchishin ga nai) or for a more idiomatic expression, '恥知らず' (hajishirazu - a shameless person).

Yes, it is often used when talking about children developing a sense of modesty, such as when they start wanting to change clothes in private.

Very often! You'll hear it when a character is teasing another about being easily embarrassed, or when someone does something outrageous.

Direct opposites include '厚顔無恥' (brazenness) or '自尊心' (self-esteem) in certain contexts.

It has 'sheep' (羊) on top and 'ugly/ox' (丑) is NOT at the bottom; it's a specific radical that looks like a hand (not the standard hand radical though). It's best to check a stroke order diagram.

It is more formal than 'hazukashii,' but common enough that you'll hear it on TV and in daily conversations about personality.

Yes, it can encompass shyness, but it's more about the fear of being seen in a shameful way than just being quiet.

No, it is strictly a noun. You use it with verbs like 'kanjiru' (feel) or 'motsu' (have).

셀프 테스트 180 질문

writing

Write a sentence using '羞恥心を感じる'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using '羞恥心を捨てる'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Describe a person who has no sense of shame using '羞恥心がない'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Use '羞恥心に苛まれる' in a sentence about a past mistake.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a short opinion on whether internet anonymity reduces shame.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'I felt shame.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'He has a strong sense of shame.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'The advertisement stimulated her sense of shame.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'Overcoming shame leads to self-growth.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence about why someone might blush.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Explain 'shame culture' briefly in Japanese.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Use '羞恥心をかなぐり捨てる' in a dramatic sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write 'shūchishin' in Kanji.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'Do you have no shame?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write about a situation where shame stops you from doing something.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Discuss the 'loss of shame' in modern society.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'Intense shame attacked me.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'He lacks a sense of shame.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: 'Shame is an essential social emotion.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using '羞恥心を隠す'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Describe a time you felt 'shūchishin' using Japanese.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Explain the meaning of 'shūchishin o suteru' to a friend.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Discuss if you think 'shūchishin' is important in your culture.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Give a speech about overcoming 'shūchishin' to achieve a goal.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Analyze the role of 'shūchishin' in modern Japanese society.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Read the word '羞恥心' aloud with correct pitch accent.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Pronounce the phrase '羞恥心を感じる' clearly.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Roleplay: Tell someone they have no shame ('shūchishin ga nai').

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Discuss the difference between 'shūchishin' and 'zaiakukan'.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Tell a story about a 'shūchishin no katamari' person you know.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Explain the idiom 'Ana ga attara hairitai'.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Argue for or against the use of shame in advertising.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'I am shy' in three different ways.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Use 'shūchishin' to describe an embarrassing situation at work.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Debate: Is 'shūchishin' disappearing in the younger generation?

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Give a presentation on the 'Culture of Shame'.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Say 'I threw away my shame' in a funny context.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Explain how 'shūchishin' helps maintain public manners.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Practice saying 'shūchishin' fast five times.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Discuss the philosophical roots of 'shūchishin'.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '彼は羞恥心を感じて顔を赤くした。' What happened to his face?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '羞恥心を捨てて頑張ります!' What is the speaker's intention?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the word: 'しゅうちしん'. How many syllables are there?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '羞恥心がない人とは付き合いたくない。' Who does the speaker want to avoid?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '猛烈な羞恥心に襲われた。' How strong was the shame?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '羞恥心の欠如が問題だ。' What is the problem?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Identify the word '羞恥心' in this audio clip.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '羞恥心を煽る広告はやめるべきだ。' What should be stopped?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '羞恥心は大切です。' What is important?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '羞恥心を隠すために笑った。' Why did she laugh?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '羞恥心の源泉は他者の眼差しにある。' Where is the source?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '羞恥心を捨てなさい。' What is the command?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '羞恥心に耐えかねた。' Could they endure it?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the word: '恥ずかしい'. Is it a noun?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen to the sentence: '羞恥心を感じました。' Did they feel it?

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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