At the A1 level, think of 羞愧 (xiūkuì) as a very strong version of 'feeling bad' or 'sorry.' While you might not use it often in basic greetings, you can understand it as the feeling you have when you do something wrong and want to say 'I am so sorry.' It is the emotion of a child who was caught doing something they weren't supposed to do. In simple sentences, it is used like 'I feel ashamed' (我感到羞愧). At this stage, focus on the basic idea that this word is for serious 'sorry' moments, not for small things like being late for five minutes. You might see it in simple stories where a character makes a mistake and then feels bad in their heart. The key is to associate it with 'bad feelings' + 'doing something wrong.'
At the A2 level, you can begin to distinguish 羞愧 (xiūkuì) from simple embarrassment. If you trip in public, you are 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi). But if you lied to your teacher, you might feel 羞愧. You will start to see this word in more complex sentences using '感到' (to feel) or '觉得' (to think/feel). You should learn that it is a serious word. You can use it in the pattern: 'Subject + 为 (because of) + [Action] + 感到羞愧.' For example, '我为撒谎感到羞愧' (I feel ashamed for lying). This level is about recognizing that 羞愧 is about your internal feelings when you know you didn't do the right thing. It is a step up from basic vocabulary and shows you can express more complex emotions.
At the B1 level, you are expected to understand the nuance of 羞愧 (xiūkuì) compared to 惭愧 (cánkuì). This is a crucial distinction for intermediate learners. You use 羞愧 when there is a sense of disgrace or a moral failing. You use 惭愧 when you feel you didn't do enough or your performance was lacking. You will also encounter 羞愧 in more formal reading materials, like news reports or short stories. You should be comfortable using it with adverbs like '深感' (deeply feel) or '无比' (incomparably). At this stage, you should also understand how it relates to 'face' (面子). Feeling 羞愧 often means you feel you have 'lost face' in front of others because of a moral mistake. You can now use it to describe characters in books or movies who are struggling with their conscience.
At the B2 level, you should be able to use 羞愧 (xiūkuì) in sophisticated ways, including using it as an adverb ('羞愧地') or in complement structures ('羞愧得...'). You will recognize it in formal speeches, legal contexts, or ethical discussions. You should understand that 羞愧 is an essential part of the 'shame culture' in Chinese society, where maintaining moral integrity is vital. You can discuss the social implications of 羞愧—how it acts as a social regulator. You will also start to learn idioms that include or are related to this word, such as '羞愧难当' (unbearable shame). Your usage should be precise; you shouldn't use 羞愧 for minor social awkwardness, but rather for significant moral or ethical lapses. You can also use it to express collective shame, such as being ashamed of a group's behavior.
At the C1 level, your understanding of 羞愧 (xiūkuì) should be deeply nuanced. You can analyze its use in classical and modern literature to understand character development and thematic depth. You understand the etymological roots of the characters '羞' and '愧' and how they contribute to the word's meaning. You can use a variety of synonyms and idioms (like '无地自容' or '汗颜') to express different shades of shame depending on the context. In writing, you can use 羞愧 to build complex emotional narratives. You are also aware of the psychological weight the word carries in a Chinese context, where it is often linked to filial piety and social duty. You can use the word in academic or professional settings to discuss corporate social responsibility or ethical standards with high precision.
At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 羞愧 (xiūkuì) and its related concepts. You can use it in any context, from high-level diplomatic discourse to complex philosophical arguments. You understand the subtle differences between 羞愧, 羞耻, 惭愧, and 耻辱 in various historical and linguistic contexts. You can interpret the word's role in the historical evolution of Chinese morality and how it differs from Western concepts of 'guilt.' Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker's, including the ability to use it ironically, metaphorically, or in highly specialized literary registers. You can effortlessly switch between formal idioms and colloquial expressions of shame while maintaining the appropriate tone and register for any given audience.

羞愧 em 30 segundos

  • 羞愧 (xiūkuì) means deep shame or remorse stemming from a moral failure or disgrace.
  • It is more intense and formal than '不好意思' (embarrassed) or '惭愧' (regretful).
  • Commonly used in formal apologies, literature, and serious personal reflections in Chinese.
  • Grammatically, it functions as an adjective often paired with '感到' (feel) or '为...而' (because of...).

The Chinese word 羞愧 (xiūkuì) is a profound adjective that describes a deep sense of shame, remorse, or moral embarrassment. Unlike simple embarrassment, which might arise from a social faux pas, 羞愧 implies a deeper internal conflict where one feels they have failed a moral standard or let down others in a significant way. It is a compound of two characters: 羞 (xiū), which relates to shyness or the outward manifestation of shame, and 愧 (kuì), which specifically denotes an internal feeling of being ashamed or having a guilty conscience.

Core Emotional Weight
It is an intense emotion that often leads to a desire to hide or to atone for one's actions. It is frequently used in literature and formal speech to describe a character's reaction to their own wrongdoing.
Social Context
In Chinese culture, 羞愧 is closely tied to the concept of 'face' (面子). Feeling 羞愧 means acknowledging that one's behavior has negatively impacted their reputation or the reputation of their group (family, company, or nation).

当他意识到自己的谎言伤害了最好的朋友时,他感到无比羞愧。(When he realized his lie had hurt his best friend, he felt incredibly ashamed.)

You will encounter this word in contexts involving ethical dilemmas, serious apologies, and psychological descriptions. It is not a word used lightly; using 羞愧 suggests a significant level of self-reflection and regret. For example, a student might feel 惭愧 (cánkuì) for not studying hard enough, but they would feel 羞愧 (xiūkuì) if they were caught cheating on an exam.

犯下这样的错误,我深感羞愧。(I feel deeply ashamed for having made such a mistake.)

In a broader sense, 羞愧 reflects the moral landscape of Chinese society. It is the internal mechanism that encourages individuals to adhere to social norms and personal integrity. When someone says they are 羞愧, they are not just saying they are sorry; they are saying their very sense of self has been diminished by their actions. This makes it a powerful word in conflict resolution and personal growth narratives.

Literary Usage
In classical and modern literature, 羞愧 is used to humanize characters, showing their capacity for conscience and redemption. It is a key element in the 'shame culture' often discussed by sociologists regarding East Asian societies.

羞愧地低下了头,不敢看老师的眼睛。(He lowered his head in shame, not daring to look the teacher in the eye.)

这种背信弃义的行为令人感到羞愧。(This kind of treacherous behavior makes one feel ashamed.)

Ultimately, 羞愧 is about the gap between who we are and who we believe we should be. It is a heavy word, but one that is essential for expressing deep regret and moral responsibility in Chinese.

Using 羞愧 (xiūkuì) correctly requires understanding its grammatical placement and the intensity of the emotion it conveys. It primarily functions as an adjective but can also act as a noun in certain formal structures. The most common way to use it is as a predicate following a subject and a linking verb or a verb of feeling.

Common Structure: Subject + 感到/觉得 + 羞愧
This is the standard way to express that someone feels ashamed. You can add adverbs of degree like '非常' (fēicháng - very), '十分' (shífēn - extremely), or '无比' (wúbǐ - incomparably) before 羞愧.

面对父母的信任,他为自己的欺骗行为感到羞愧。(In the face of his parents' trust, he felt ashamed of his deceptive behavior.)

Another frequent pattern is using '为...感到羞愧' (wèi... gǎndào xiūkuì), which means 'to feel ashamed because of...'. This structure clearly identifies the source of the shame, whether it is one's own actions or someone else's behavior.

我为我昨天的粗鲁言行向你表示羞愧。(I express my shame to you for my rude words and actions yesterday.)

You can also use 羞愧 as an adverbial to describe how an action is performed, typically by adding the particle '地' (de).

羞愧地低下了头,一言不发。(He lowered his head in shame and didn't say a word.)

In formal writing, 羞愧 can be part of a four-character idiom or a fixed phrase. '羞愧难当' (xiūkuì nándāng) is a very common way to say that the shame is unbearable. This is often used in novels or dramatic retellings of events.

Formal Phrases
Phrases like '深感羞愧' (shēngǎn xiūkuì - deeply feel ashamed) are used in official apologies or formal self-reflections. It shows a high degree of maturity and sincerity.

看到战友们都在英勇战斗,而自己却躲在后面,他感到无地自容,万分羞愧。(Seeing his comrades fighting bravely while he hid in the back, he felt there was no place to hide and was extremely ashamed.)

Remember that 羞愧 is stronger than 惭愧 (cánkuì). While 惭愧 might be used when you feel you haven't done enough (e.g., 'I'm ashamed I didn't help more'), 羞愧 is for when you feel you have done something inherently wrong or disgraceful. Use it when the situation involves a breach of trust, ethics, or personal honor.

While 羞愧 (xiūkuì) might not be used in every casual conversation, it is a staple of specific social and media contexts. Understanding where you will hear it helps you grasp its emotional weight and cultural significance.

1. Formal Apologies and Public Statements
When a public figure, a company executive, or a politician is caught in a scandal, their formal apology will almost certainly include the word 羞愧. It serves to signal to the public that the individual understands the gravity of their mistake and is experiencing the appropriate moral distress.

“我对自己的错误行为深感羞愧,并向全体市民道歉。” (“I feel deeply ashamed of my erroneous behavior and apologize to all citizens.”)

In these contexts, 羞愧 is a keyword for 'taking responsibility.' It moves the conversation from a simple mistake to a moral failing that requires social redemption.

2. Literature and Period Dramas (C-Dramas)
If you watch historical Chinese dramas or read modern novels, 羞愧 is a frequent descriptor for characters who have betrayed their masters, failed their families, or committed acts of cowardice. The visual of a character lowering their head or kneeling while expressing 羞愧 is a classic trope.

将军听后,满脸羞愧,长叹一声。(After hearing this, the general's face was full of shame, and he let out a long sigh.)

In such settings, the word is used to emphasize themes of loyalty, honor, and the internal struggle between desire and duty.

3. News Reports and Moral Commentary
News articles reporting on social injustices or unethical behavior often use 羞愧 to describe the public's reaction or the state of the perpetrator's conscience. It is a common term in opinion pieces that discuss the moral fiber of society.

这种虐待动物的行为让每一个有良知的人都感到羞愧。(This kind of animal abuse makes every person with a conscience feel ashamed.)

Finally, you might hear it in serious heart-to-heart conversations between friends or family members. If someone says, "你这样做不觉得羞愧吗?" (Don't you feel ashamed doing this?), they are delivering a severe moral rebuke. It is a way of questioning someone's basic sense of right and wrong.

For learners of Chinese, the most common mistakes with 羞愧 (xiūkuì) involve confusing it with other words for 'shame' or 'embarrassment' that have different nuances. Using the wrong word can lead to sounding either too dramatic or too casual for the situation.

Mistake 1: Confusing 羞愧 (xiūkuì) with 惭愧 (cánkuì)
This is the most frequent error. While both mean 'ashamed,' 惭愧 is generally used for feeling that you haven't met a standard or haven't done enough (e.g., 'I feel ashamed I didn't help you more'). 羞愧 is deeper and often involves a sense of disgrace or moral wrongdoing (e.g., 'I feel ashamed for stealing').

Incorrect: 我没考好,感到很羞愧。 (Too strong unless it was a major failure of effort.)
Correct: 我没考好,感到很惭愧

Mistake 2: Confusing 羞愧 (xiūkuì) with 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi)
不好意思 is for mild embarrassment or social shyness (e.g., being praised or making a small mistake). Using 羞愧 in these situations makes you sound like you've committed a crime.

Incorrect: 被大家表扬,我感到很羞愧。 (Sounds like you think you don't deserve the praise for a bad reason.)
Correct: 被大家表扬,我感到很不好意思

Mistake 3: Overusing it for minor issues
In English, we might say 'I'm so ashamed I forgot your name.' In Chinese, using 羞愧 here would be bizarrely intense. You would use '尴尬' (gāngà - embarrassed) or '抱歉' (bàoqiàn - sorry) instead.

Incorrect: 忘了带伞,我感到很羞愧
Correct: 忘了带伞,我感到很尴尬/不好意思

Another mistake is the confusion between 羞愧 and 羞耻 (xiūchǐ). 羞耻 is often a noun meaning 'a sense of shame' or 'disgrace' and is even more formal and heavy than 羞愧. 羞耻 is often used to describe a state of being (e.g., 'a shameful act'), whereas 羞愧 is the internal feeling of the person.

Finally, ensure you are using the correct particle '地' when using it as an adverb. '羞愧地低头' is correct, whereas '羞愧的低头' is a common written error even among native speakers, but technically incorrect as '的' is for modifying nouns.

The Chinese language has a rich vocabulary for expressing shame and embarrassment, each with specific situational requirements. Comparing 羞愧 (xiūkuì) with its synonyms helps clarify its precise meaning.

羞愧 (xiūkuì) vs. 惭愧 (cánkuì)
羞愧: Deep, moral shame; feeling disgraced. Often involves a desire to hide.
惭愧: Feeling you didn't do well enough or failed expectations. Less intense than 羞愧.
羞愧 (xiūkuì) vs. 羞耻 (xiūchǐ)
羞愧: The internal feeling of shame.
羞耻: The social state of disgrace or the concept of shame itself. Often used in phrases like '耻辱' (chǐrǔ - humiliation).
羞愧 (xiūkuì) vs. 难为情 (nánwéiqíng)
难为情: Shy or embarrassed in a social sense. Often used when someone is praised or put on the spot. Much lighter than 羞愧.

羞愧: 他为自己的背叛感到羞愧
惭愧: 没能帮上忙,我感到很惭愧

For more informal situations, you might use '丢脸' (diūliǎn) or '没脸' (méiliǎn), which literally mean 'losing face' or 'having no face.' These are common in spoken Chinese to describe feeling ashamed or embarrassed in front of others.

In literary contexts, you will find four-character idioms that serve as alternatives to 羞愧:

  • 无地自容 (wúdì zìróng): So ashamed that there is nowhere to hide.
  • 自惭形秽 (zìcán xínghuì): To feel unworthy or inferior in comparison to others.
  • 汗颜无地 (hànyán wúdì): So ashamed that one perspires and has no place to hide.

面对他的慷慨,我感到自惭形秽。(Faced with his generosity, I felt inferior/ashamed of my own smallness.)

Understanding these distinctions allows you to express the exact level of regret and social positioning required in different Chinese contexts. Whether you are writing a formal letter or chatting with a friend, choosing the right word for 'shame' is a key part of linguistic and cultural fluency.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The character '羞' (xiū) contains the 'sheep' (羊) radical. In ancient China, sheep were often used in sacrifices, and many words related to beauty, goodness, and ritual (like 美 and 义) contain the sheep radical. The shift to 'shame' is a fascinating linguistic evolution related to social conduct.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ɕjoʊ̯˥ kʰweɪ̯˥˩/
US /ɕjoʊ̯˥ kʰweɪ̯˥˩/
In Mandarin, both syllables are stressed, but the falling tone on 'kuì' often makes it sound more emphatic.
Rima com
优 (yōu) 休 (xiū) 羞 (xiū) 对 (duì) 贵 (guì) 睡 (shuì) 退 (tuì) 会 (huì)
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing 'xiu' as 'ks-iu' (the 'x' is not a 'ks' sound).
  • Pronouncing 'kui' as 'koo-ee' (it should be a single diphthong).
  • Mixing up the tones, especially turning the 1st tone of 'xiu' into a 3rd tone.
  • Confusing 'kui' with 'gui' (the 'k' is aspirated).
  • Failing to distinguish the 'x' sound from the 'sh' sound.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

The characters are moderately complex but common in literature.

Escrita 4/5

Writing '愧' correctly requires attention to the radicals.

Expressão oral 3/5

Tones are clear, but nuance in usage is tricky.

Audição 2/5

Easily recognizable in formal or emotional speech.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

不好意思 觉得

Aprenda a seguir

惭愧 羞耻 悔改 自责 尊严

Avançado

无地自容 自惭形秽 恬不知耻 汗颜 引咎辞职

Gramática essencial

Adverbial '地' (de)

他羞愧地低下了头。(He lowered his head in shame.)

Result Complement '得' (de)

他羞愧得说不出话来。(He was so ashamed he couldn't speak.)

Preposition '为' (wèi) for cause

我为自己的错误感到羞愧。(I feel ashamed of my mistake.)

Causative '令/让' (lìng/ràng)

这种行为令人羞愧。(This behavior makes people feel ashamed.)

Abstract Noun Suffix '感' (gǎn)

他心中充满了羞愧感。(His heart was full of a sense of shame.)

Exemplos por nível

1

我做错了事,心里很羞愧。

I did something wrong, and I feel very ashamed in my heart.

Subject + Verb + Adjective structure.

2

他不听话,感到很羞愧。

He was disobedient and felt very ashamed.

Using '感到' to express feeling.

3

我没有帮妈妈,我很羞愧。

I didn't help my mother, I am very ashamed.

Simple cause and effect sentence.

4

她说谎了,她很羞愧。

She lied, and she is very ashamed.

Linking an action to an emotion.

5

老师生气了,我很羞愧。

The teacher is angry, and I am very ashamed.

Using '很' as an intensifier.

6

我弄坏了玩具,我感到羞愧。

I broke the toy, I feel ashamed.

Focus on the feeling of shame.

7

他没说实话,心里羞愧。

He didn't tell the truth, he feels ashamed in his heart.

Omitting '感到' in informal speech.

8

我们都为他感到羞愧。

We all feel ashamed for him.

Using '为...感到' (feel... for...).

1

我为昨天的无礼感到羞愧。

I feel ashamed for my rudeness yesterday.

Using '为' to specify the reason.

2

他羞愧地低下了头。

He lowered his head in shame.

Adverbial usage with '地'.

3

听到这些话,她觉得很羞愧。

Hearing these words, she felt very ashamed.

Using '觉得' to describe a reaction.

4

你难道不为自己的行为感到羞愧吗?

Don't you feel ashamed of your behavior?

Rhetorical question structure.

5

他因为偷东西而感到羞愧。

He felt ashamed because of stealing.

Using '因为...而' to show cause.

6

这种小事不值得感到羞愧。

This small thing is not worth feeling ashamed of.

Using '不值得' (not worth).

7

她羞愧得满脸通红。

She was so ashamed that her whole face turned red.

Result complement with '得'.

8

面对真相,他感到无比羞愧。

In the face of the truth, he felt incomparably ashamed.

Using '面对' (facing) as a context.

1

他深感羞愧,决定去向受害者道歉。

He felt deeply ashamed and decided to apologize to the victim.

Using '深感' (deeply feel).

2

这种背叛朋友的行为让人感到羞愧。

This kind of behavior of betraying friends makes one feel ashamed.

Abstract subject + '让人感到'.

3

他羞愧难当,恨不得找个地缝钻进去。

He was so ashamed that he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Using the idiom '羞愧难当'.

4

我们应当为破坏环境的行为感到羞愧。

We should feel ashamed of the behavior of destroying the environment.

Moral obligation with '应当'.

5

想起当年的无知,我感到十分羞愧。

Thinking of my ignorance back then, I feel extremely ashamed.

Reflective sentence structure.

6

他羞愧地承认了自己的错误。

He admitted his mistake in shame.

Adverbial modifying '承认'.

7

他的羞愧感源于对家人的亏欠。

His sense of shame stems from his debt to his family.

Using '羞愧感' (sense of shame) as a noun.

8

面对父亲的期望,他感到万分羞愧。

Facing his father's expectations, he felt ten thousand times (extremely) ashamed.

Using '万分' for extreme degree.

1

这种公然违规的行为简直令人羞愧万分。

This kind of blatant violation is simply extremely shameful.

Using '简直' (simply) for emphasis.

2

他羞愧得无话可说,只能默默承受指责。

He was so ashamed he had nothing to say and could only silently bear the accusations.

Result complement '无话可说'.

3

这种自私的想法让我感到羞愧不已。

This selfish thought makes me feel endlessly ashamed.

Using '不已' (unceasingly).

4

他在法庭上表现出了深深的羞愧。

He showed deep shame in court.

Noun usage in a formal context.

5

为了一己私利而损害集体利益,难道不感到羞愧吗?

Don't you feel ashamed of harming collective interests for personal gain?

Complex rhetorical structure.

6

她羞愧地避开了众人的目光。

She shamefully avoided everyone's gaze.

Adverbial usage with '避开'.

7

这种缺乏职业道德的行为令整个行业感到羞愧。

This kind of behavior lacking professional ethics makes the entire industry feel ashamed.

Collective subject.

8

他那羞愧的表情说明了一切。

His ashamed expression explained everything.

Using '羞愧' as an attributive adjective.

1

面对先辈的丰功伟绩,我们这些不肖子孙深感羞愧。

Facing the great achievements of our ancestors, we, the unworthy descendants, feel deeply ashamed.

High-level vocabulary (丰功伟绩, 不肖子孙).

2

他因未能履行诺言而陷入了长久的羞愧之中。

He fell into a long period of shame because he failed to fulfill his promise.

Using '陷入...之中' (fall into...).

3

这种丧失人格的行为,足以让任何一个有尊严的人感到羞愧。

This kind of behavior that loses one's character is enough to make any person with dignity feel ashamed.

Formal conditional structure '足以让...'.

4

羞愧感在某种程度上是一种道德的自我约束。

The sense of shame is, to some extent, a moral self-restraint.

Philosophical/Academic tone.

5

他带着满腔的羞愧,离开了这个曾经让他辉煌过的地方。

With a heart full of shame, he left this place where he had once been brilliant.

Literary phrasing '满腔的羞愧'.

6

看到那些在贫困中挣扎的孩子,我们难道不应该感到羞愧吗?

Seeing those children struggling in poverty, shouldn't we feel ashamed?

Socially conscious rhetorical question.

7

他的文字中透出一种对过去错误的深刻羞愧。

His writing reveals a deep shame for past mistakes.

Metaphorical usage in literary analysis.

8

这种羞愧感如影随形,让他无法获得内心的平静。

This sense of shame follows him like a shadow, making it impossible for him to find inner peace.

Using the idiom '如影随形'.

1

在历史的审判面前,那些助纣为虐的人终将感到无尽的羞愧。

Before the judgment of history, those who helped the tyrant will eventually feel endless shame.

Advanced idioms (助纣为虐) and grand themes.

2

羞愧并非软弱的表现,而是良知尚未泯灭的证明。

Shame is not a sign of weakness, but proof that conscience has not yet been extinguished.

Philosophical '并非...而是' structure.

3

他那曾经不可一世的傲气,如今已化作了深深的羞愧。

His once insufferable arrogance has now turned into deep shame.

Complex contrast between past and present.

4

这种对人类文明的亵渎行为,是整个人类的羞愧。

This act of profaning human civilization is a shame for all of humanity.

Global/Universal scope.

5

他在忏悔录中详尽地描述了自己那段令人羞愧的往事。

In his confessions, he described in detail that shameful past of his.

Literary context (忏悔录).

6

这种羞愧感交织着愤怒与无奈,让他倍感煎熬。

This sense of shame, interwoven with anger and helplessness, made him feel doubly tormented.

Emotional complexity (交织, 倍感).

7

唯有真正的反省,才能洗刷掉灵魂深处的羞愧。

Only true reflection can wash away the shame deep in the soul.

Metaphorical and spiritual context.

8

他在晚年时,常因年轻时的荒唐行为而感到羞愧难当。

In his later years, he often felt unbearably ashamed of his absurd behavior in his youth.

Long-term emotional reflection.

Colocações comuns

感到羞愧
深感羞愧
羞愧难当
满脸羞愧
无地自容的羞愧
令人羞愧
羞愧万分
产生羞愧感
洗刷羞愧
带着羞愧

Frases Comuns

羞愧不如

— To feel ashamed because one is not as good as someone else.

看到他的进步,我感到羞愧不如。

羞愧交加

— To feel both shame and other emotions (like anger or sadness) at the same time.

他此时羞愧交加,说不出话来。

面带羞愧

— To have an ashamed look on one's face.

他面带羞愧地向老师认错。

深藏羞愧

— To hide one's shame deep inside.

他表面平静,内心却深藏羞愧。

终生羞愧

— To feel ashamed for the rest of one's life.

那次背叛让他终生羞愧。

倍感羞愧

— To feel double the amount of shame (very ashamed).

听到大家的赞美,他倍感羞愧。

掩饰羞愧

— To try to hide or cover up one's shame.

他试图用笑声来掩饰自己的羞愧。

毫无羞愧

— To have no sense of shame at all.

他竟然毫无羞愧地继续撒谎。

羞愧之心

— A heart or mind that feels shame (sense of shame).

人若没有羞愧之心,便无法进步。

为之羞愧

— To feel ashamed of something mentioned before.

这种行为真让人为之羞愧。

Frequentemente confundido com

羞愧 vs 惭愧 (cánkuì)

惭愧 is for not meeting a standard; 羞愧 is for doing something wrong.

羞愧 vs 羞涩 (xiūsè)

羞涩 means 'shy' or 'bashful,' usually in a social or romantic context.

羞愧 vs 尴尬 (gāngà)

尴尬 is 'embarrassed' due to an awkward situation, not a moral failing.

Expressões idiomáticas

"羞愧难当"

— The shame is so great that it is hard to bear or endure.

面对众人的指责,他羞愧难当。

Formal/Literary
"无地自容"

— So ashamed that one feels there is no place to hide or stand.

他的批评让我感到无地自容。

Common Idiom
"自惭形秽"

— To feel ashamed or inferior when comparing oneself to someone superior.

在他面前,我不禁感到自惭形秽。

Literary
"汗颜无地"

— To be so ashamed that one's face sweats and there's no place to hide.

听到这个消息,我真是汗颜无地。

Formal
"羞与为伍"

— To feel ashamed to be associated with someone or a group.

这种卑鄙小人,我羞与为伍。

Formal/Literary
"恬不知耻"

— To be shamelessly indifferent to one's own disgrace.

他做了坏事还恬不知耻地炫耀。

Critical/Negative
"洗心革面"

— To thoroughly repent and start anew (often follows a period of shame).

他决定洗心革面,做一个好人。

Common Idiom
"见贤思齐"

— To see a virtuous person and think of equaling them (often involves feeling 惭愧/羞愧 about oneself).

看到他的善行,我们应当见贤思齐。

Classical/Educational
"卑躬屈膝"

— To bow and scrape; to be servile (a shameful way of acting).

他为了金钱不惜卑躬屈膝,令人不齿。

Literary
"包羞忍耻"

— To swallow one's pride and endure shame for a greater purpose.

他包羞忍耻,终于等到了复仇的机会。

Literary/Historical

Fácil de confundir

羞愧 vs 羞耻

Both mean shame.

羞耻 is often a noun or a very strong moral label; 羞愧 is more about the internal feeling.

这是一种羞耻。 vs 我感到羞愧。

羞愧 vs 自责

Both involve feeling bad about oneself.

自责 means 'self-blame'; it's an action of the mind. 羞愧 is the emotion itself.

他深感自责。 vs 他感到羞愧。

羞愧 vs 悔恨

Both involve regret.

悔恨 is 'remorse' plus 'hatred' (of the action), focus on wishing it hadn't happened. 羞愧 focuses on the loss of dignity.

他心中充满了悔恨。

羞愧 vs 难堪

Both involve feeling bad in front of others.

难堪 means 'embarrassed/hard to endure' because of someone else's actions or a situation. 羞愧 is from one's own actions.

这件事让他很难堪。

羞愧 vs 腼腆

Both involve hiding the face.

腼腆 is a personality trait (shy/timid). 羞愧 is a temporary emotion from a mistake.

他性格很腼腆。

Padrões de frases

A1

我 + 感到 + 羞愧。

我感到羞愧。

A2

我 + 为 + [Noun/Action] + 感到 + 羞愧。

我为说谎感到羞愧。

B1

[Event] + 让/令 + 人 + 感到 + 羞愧。

这种行为让人感到羞愧。

B1

S + 羞愧 + 地 + V。

他羞愧地低下了头。

B2

S + 羞愧 + 得 + [Result]。

他羞愧得无话可说。

C1

S + 深感 + 羞愧。

对此我深感羞愧。

C1

带着 + [Adjective] + 的 + 羞愧。

他带着深深的羞愧离开了。

C2

羞愧 + 并非 + ... + 而是 + ...

羞愧并非软弱,而是反思。

Família de palavras

Substantivos

羞愧感 (xiūkuìgǎn) - sense of shame
羞耻 (xiūchǐ) - shame/disgrace

Verbos

羞辱 (xiūrǔ) - to humiliate/insult
愧疚 (kuìjiù) - to feel guilty/regretful

Adjetivos

羞涩 (xiūsè) - shy/bashful
惭愧 (cánkuì) - ashamed/remorseful

Relacionado

耻辱 (chǐrǔ)
脸面 (liǎnmiàn)
自责 (zìzé)
忏悔 (chànhuǐ)
愧色 (kuìsè)

Como usar

frequency

Common in written Chinese, formal speeches, and dramatic dialogues; moderate in daily casual speech.

Erros comuns
  • Using 羞愧 for being shy around strangers. 害羞 (hàixiū) or 羞涩 (xiūsè)

    羞愧 is for moral shame, while 害羞 is for social shyness or bashfulness.

  • Using 羞愧 when you just made a small mistake like a typo. 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) or 尴尬 (gāngà)

    羞愧 is too strong for minor, non-moral errors. It makes the speaker sound overly dramatic.

  • Mixing up 羞愧 and 惭愧. 惭愧 (cánkuì) for performance/effort; 羞愧 for morality.

    If you are 'ashamed' you didn't win a race, use 惭愧. If you are 'ashamed' you cheated in the race, use 羞愧.

  • Writing '愧' without the heart radical. 愧 (忄+ 鬼)

    The '忄' radical is essential. Without it, the character is incomplete and incorrect.

  • Using 羞愧 to mean 'humiliated' by someone else. 被羞辱 (bèi xiūrǔ)

    羞愧 is a feeling you have about yourself. If someone else makes you feel bad, it is '羞辱' (humiliation).

Dicas

When to choose 羞愧

Choose 羞愧 when the mistake involves a violation of trust, a lie, or a moral failure. It shows you understand the gravity of the situation.

The power of 'Face'

Remember that in China, shame is often social. Feeling 羞愧 means you are aware of how others view your moral character.

Pairing with '感到'

The most natural way to use it is '感到羞愧.' Using just '我羞愧' sounds a bit incomplete in modern Mandarin.

Learn the idiom

Memorize '羞愧难当' (xiūkuì nándāng). It's a great way to describe intense shame in writing or high-level speaking.

Adverbial form

Use '羞愧地' to describe actions like apologizing, leaving, or lowering one's head. It adds emotional depth to your sentences.

Tone matters

Make the second syllable 'kuì' short and sharp. This falling tone conveys the 'heaviness' of the emotion.

羞愧 vs 丢脸

Use '丢脸' for 'embarrassed' in front of people. Use '羞愧' for the 'guilty' feeling in your heart.

Contextual clues

If you hear 羞愧 in a news report, it usually refers to a major ethical scandal or a serious public apology.

Shame vs Guilt

In Chinese, 羞愧 covers both shame (social) and guilt (internal). It is a very comprehensive emotional word.

The 'Heart' radical

When writing '愧,' remember the '忄' (heart) on the left. It helps you remember that this is a deep, internal feeling.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'Xiu' as 'She' + 'You' (sh-yoh). You feel 'Xiu' when you want to hide. 'Kui' sounds like 'Quay' (kway). Imagine standing on a quay, feeling guilty and wanting to jump into the water to hide your face.

Associação visual

Imagine a person standing in a bright spotlight with their head bowed low, their face turning red. This person is feeling 羞愧 because their secret has been revealed.

Word Web

Heart (忄) Sheep (羊) Face (面子) Guilt (愧疚) Moral (道德) Hide (躲藏) Apology (道歉) Regret (后悔)

Desafio

Try to write three sentences using 羞愧 to describe a character in a movie you recently watched. Make sure the situation involves a serious moral choice.

Origem da palavra

The word is a combination of two ancient characters. '羞' (xiū) appears in oracle bone script and originally meant 'delicacies' or 'food offerings.' Later, it evolved to mean 'shame,' possibly through the idea of being bashful or shy during formal rituals. '愧' (kuì) consists of the 'heart' radical (忄) and the phonetic '鬼' (guǐ), meaning 'ashamed' or 'feeling unworthy.'

Significado original: To feel internal remorse and external bashfulness due to a moral failing.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese)

Contexto cultural

Calling someone '不知道羞愧' (shameless) is a very serious insult in Chinese. Use it with extreme caution.

English speakers often use 'ashamed' and 'embarrassed' interchangeably. In Chinese, you must be careful: 羞愧 is much stronger and more moral than 'embarrassed.'

Confucius: '知耻近乎勇' (To know shame is close to bravery). Mencius: '羞恶之心,义之端也' (The sense of shame and dislike is the beginning of righteousness). Lu Xun's stories often depict the 羞愧 of the intellectual class.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Personal Apology

  • 我深感羞愧
  • 我为我的行为感到羞愧
  • 我真的很难过和羞愧
  • 请原谅我的羞愧之举

Literary Description

  • 羞愧地低下了头
  • 羞愧难当
  • 满脸羞愧
  • 内心充满了羞愧

Moral Criticism

  • 你不觉得羞愧吗?
  • 令人羞愧的行为
  • 毫无羞愧之心
  • 简直是羞愧之至

Legal/Official Setting

  • 表现出深刻的羞愧
  • 由于羞愧而坦白
  • 对社会造成了羞愧的影响
  • 深表羞愧与歉意

Psychological Discussion

  • 克服羞愧感
  • 羞愧感的来源
  • 长期的羞愧心理
  • 羞愧与自尊的关系

Iniciadores de conversa

"当你做错事时,你会感到羞愧吗? (Do you feel ashamed when you do something wrong?)"

"你认为‘羞愧’和‘惭愧’有什么区别? (What do you think is the difference between 'xiukuì' and 'cánkuì'?)"

"在你的文化里,羞愧是一个重要的感情吗? (Is shame an important emotion in your culture?)"

"如果一个人从不感到羞愧,你觉得他怎么样? (What do you think of a person who never feels ashamed?)"

"你能分享一次让你感到羞愧的经历吗? (Can you share an experience that made you feel ashamed?)"

Temas para diário

写一段话描述一个角色因为背叛朋友而感到羞愧的过程。 (Write a paragraph describing a character's process of feeling ashamed for betraying a friend.)

反思一次你感到羞愧的时刻,并写下你从中学到了什么。 (Reflect on a moment you felt ashamed and write down what you learned from it.)

讨论社会压力如何导致一个人产生羞愧感。 (Discuss how social pressure can lead a person to feel a sense of shame.)

比较‘羞愧’和‘尴尬’在不同情境下的使用。 (Compare the use of 'shame' and 'embarrassment' in different situations.)

写一封虚构的道歉信,其中必须包含‘深感羞愧’这个词。 (Write a fictional apology letter that must include the phrase 'deeply feel ashamed'.)

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Yes, it describes a painful emotion. However, in Chinese philosophy, having a 'sense of shame' (羞愧之心) is seen as positive because it leads to moral improvement and self-correction. Without it, a person cannot grow.

Not directly. To say 'shame on you,' you might say '你真不知羞耻!' (You are truly shameless!) or '你这样做不觉得羞愧吗?' (Don't you feel ashamed doing this?).

羞愧 (xiūkuì) is deeper and involves moral disgrace or a 'loss of face.' 惭愧 (cánkuì) is milder and usually means you feel bad because you didn't do a good enough job or failed to meet someone's kindness.

You can say '我为你感到羞愧' (Wǒ wèi nǐ gǎndào xiūkuì). This is a very strong statement of disappointment.

It is less common than '不好意思' or '对不起.' It is used for more serious situations. You'll hear it in heart-to-heart talks or read it in books.

Yes, if a child does something seriously wrong like stealing or lying, a parent might ask if they feel 羞愧. For small things, parents usually say '害羞' (shy) or '不乖' (not good).

The most direct opposites are '自豪' (zìháo - proud) or '光荣' (guāngróng - honored/glorious).

In slang, people might say '打脸' (dǎliǎn - slap in the face) when they are proven wrong and feel ashamed, or '没脸见人' (no face to see people).

Both. The character '愧' has the heart radical, showing it's an internal feeling. But in usage, it often results in 'losing face' (丢脸) in front of others.

Yes, in formal Chinese, you can say '内心的羞愧' (inner shame) or '这种羞愧感' (this sense of shame).

Teste-se 187 perguntas

writing

Translate: 'I feel deeply ashamed for my behavior yesterday.'

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

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writing

Use '羞愧难当' in a sentence about a character who was caught lying.

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writing

Translate: 'He lowered his head in shame.'

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writing

Write a sentence using the structure '为...感到羞愧'.

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writing

Translate: 'This kind of behavior makes the whole family feel ashamed.'

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writing

Describe a situation where someone would feel '羞愧' instead of '不好意思'.

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writing

Translate: 'She was so ashamed that she couldn't speak.'

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writing

Write a formal apology opening using '深感羞愧'.

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writing

Translate: 'Don't you feel ashamed of yourself?'

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writing

Use '羞愧地' to describe how someone leaves a room.

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writing

Translate: 'A sense of shame is necessary for personal growth.'

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writing

Write a sentence about a student who cheated and feels ashamed.

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writing

Translate: 'I have no face to see you due to my shame.'

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writing

Translate: 'His face was full of shame.'

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writing

Use '令人羞愧' to describe a social injustice.

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writing

Translate: 'He admitted his mistake with deep shame.'

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writing

Write a sentence using '羞愧万分'.

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writing

Translate: 'The teacher looked at the student with an ashamed expression.'

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writing

Translate: 'True reflection can wash away shame.'

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writing

Write a sentence comparing '羞愧' and '自豪'.

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speaking

谈谈你对‘羞愧’这个词的理解。 (Talk about your understanding of 'shame'.)

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speaking

描述一次你感到羞愧的经历。 (Describe an experience where you felt ashamed.)

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speaking

你认为羞愧对一个人的成长有好处吗?为什么? (Do you think shame is good for growth? Why?)

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speaking

解释‘羞愧’和‘不好意思’的区别。 (Explain the difference between 'shame' and 'embarrassment'.)

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speaking

如果你看到朋友做错事但不感到羞愧,你会怎么做? (What would you do if a friend did something wrong but didn't feel ashamed?)

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speaking

在你的国家,人们如何表达羞愧? (How do people express shame in your country?)

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speaking

你认为‘面子’和‘羞愧’有什么关系? (What is the relationship between 'face' and 'shame'?)

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speaking

描述一个羞愧的人的动作和表情。 (Describe the actions and expressions of an ashamed person.)

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speaking

谈谈‘羞愧感’在社会道德中的作用。 (Talk about the role of the 'sense of shame' in social morality.)

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speaking

你会对一个犯了严重错误的人说‘你应该感到羞愧’吗? (Would you say 'you should feel ashamed' to someone who made a serious mistake?)

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speaking

如果你是那个经理,你会如何表达你的羞愧? (If you were that manager, how would you express your shame?)

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speaking

用‘羞愧难当’造一个口头句子。 (Make an oral sentence using 'xiukuì nándāng'.)

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speaking

羞愧感会让一个人变得更好还是更糟? (Does shame make a person better or worse?)

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speaking

你认为小孩子懂什么是‘羞愧’吗? (Do you think young children understand what 'shame' is?)

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speaking

分享一个关于羞愧的电影情节。 (Share a movie plot about shame.)

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speaking

解释‘无地自容’这个成语。 (Explain the idiom 'wúdì zìróng'.)

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speaking

如何帮助一个陷入深度羞愧的人? (How to help someone stuck in deep shame?)

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speaking

你觉得羞愧和内疚有什么不同? (What's the difference between shame and guilt?)

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speaking

在职场中,感到羞愧意味着什么? (What does feeling ashamed mean in the workplace?)

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speaking

朗读句子:‘他羞愧地低下了头。’ 注意声调。 (Read aloud: 'He lowered his head in shame.' Pay attention to tones.)

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listening

听力练习:‘我真的没脸见他了,我感到很羞愧。’ 说话人的心情是怎样的?

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listening

听力练习:‘这种行为简直是家族的羞耻,你不觉得羞愧吗?’ 说话人在做什么?

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listening

听力练习:‘他羞愧难当,退出了比赛。’ 他为什么退出比赛?

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listening

听力练习:‘面对众人的指责,他面露羞愧。’ 他的反应是什么?

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listening

听力练习:‘深感羞愧的市长辞职了。’ 市长为什么辞职?

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listening

听力练习:‘别再提那件令人羞愧的事了。’ 说话人想讨论那件事吗?

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listening

听力练习:‘他羞愧得不知所措。’ 他当时的状态是?

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listening

听力练习:‘这种羞愧感将伴随他一生。’ 这句话预示了什么?

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listening

听力练习:‘我为我的无知感到羞愧。’ 说话人为什羞愧?

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

听力练习:‘他带着满脸的羞愧走开了。’ 描述他的离开。

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listening

听力练习:‘如果你感到羞愧,就说明你还有救。’ 这句话的意思是?

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listening

听力练习:‘羞愧之情溢于言表。’ 这里的‘溢于言表’是什么意思?

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

听力练习:‘他羞愧地承认了。’ 他是怎么承认的?

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

听力练习:‘这种行为让人为之羞愧。’ 这里的‘为之’指什么?

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

听力练习:‘羞愧感是人类进步的动力之一。’ 这句话是褒义还是贬义?

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:

/ 187 correct

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