How to say "embarrass" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 困らせるこまらせるichidan verbCovers 'embarrass' as putting someone on the spot or leaving them at a loss, typically by pressing them with difficult questions; it is about causing trouble rather than making someone feel sheepish.
- 手を焼かせるてをやかせるexpression, ichidan verbSeldom the word you want for 'embarrass': it really means to give someone a hard time, describing a person or thing that others must struggle to cope with, such as a mischievous child.
Both are less common ways to render 'embarrass': use 「困らせる」 for embarrassing someone by putting them on the spot or in a bind, while 「手を焼かせる」 really means to give someone a hard time and fits 'embarrass' only loosely.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
