How to say "blush" in Japanese

• 恥じらうはじらうJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbA verb for blushing as the outward sign of shyness or bashfulness; the focus is the embarrassed, coy feeling rather than the redness itself. Typical of someone blushing when praised or teased about romance.
• 紅潮こうちょうCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA noun for the flush itself — the visible reddening of the face rather than the feeling behind it. The reddening need not come from embarrassment; strong emotion or heat can produce it too.
  彼かれは興奮こうふんして顔かおが紅潮こうちょうした。↗

  He was flushed with excitement.

Use 「恥じらう」 when you mean the shy, bashful feeling that shows as blushing, and 紅潮 when you mean the visible reddening of the face itself, whether or not embarrassment is the cause.

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

• 恥じらうはじらうto feel shy
• 紅潮こうちょうflush
• 赤らめるあからめるto blush
• 赤めるあかめるto blush
• 顔を赤らめるかおをあからめるto blush
• 頬を染めるほおをそめるto blush
• 頬染めるほおそめるto blush
• 頬を紅潮させるほおをこうちょうさせるto blush
• 赤らむあからむto become red
• 頬紅ほおべにcheek rouge
• チークカラーcheek rouge
• 赤みあかみreddish tinge
• 恥ずかしがるはずかしがるto be shy of
• チークcheek rouge