How to say "ashamed" in Japanese

• 恥ずかしいはずかしいJLPT N4approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers the full range — embarrassed, ashamed, humiliated. It is the broad, general word for feeling shame or embarrassment, whether over a small blunder or over something you did that you genuinely regret.
  彼かれらははずかしくてうなだれた。↗

  They hung their heads in shame.
• きまり悪いきまりわるいJLPT N1approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers 'ashamed' in the sheepish sense: feeling awkward or ill at ease, as when caught out or left in an awkward position. For stronger shame or humiliation, 恥ずかしい is the better choice.

Use 「恥ずかしい」 as the general word for feeling ashamed or embarrassed about anything, including humiliation; 「きまり悪い」 fits the sheepish, awkward kind of embarrassment felt when caught in an awkward spot.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 恥ずかしいはずかしいembarrassing
• きまり悪いきまりわるいembarrassed
• 汗顔かんがんashamed
• 面目ないめんぼくないashamed
• アシェイムドashamed
• 肩身の狭いかたみのせまいashamed
• 忸怩じくじbashful
• きまりが悪いきまりがわるいembarrassed