How to say "shameful" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 情けないなさけないi-adjectiveCovers the pitiable, deplorable side of shameful: conduct or a performance so poor it makes you feel shame or exasperation, typically at yourself or someone you expected better of.
- i-adjectiveShameful in the sense of unseemly or unsightly to others: sloppy appearance, bad manners, or indecent behavior that embarrasses you to be seen doing.人前でああいうみっともないことはするな。↗Don't do such a shameful thing in public.
- 見苦しいみぐるしいi-adjectiveFor shameful conduct that is ugly to watch: an unseemly spectacle, sloppy appearance, or unseemly behavior. The emphasis falls on how bad it looks rather than on the shame you feel.
- 苦々しいにがにがしいi-adjectiveMainly means feeling bitter disgust or loathing at someone's conduct, so it fits shameful only marginally; use it when you view behavior with disgust, not to call the behavior itself shameful.
- i-adjectiveCovers the improper, immodest side of shameful: unrefined speech or behavior that strikes people as lacking modesty, rather than morally disgraceful conduct.
Pick by sense: 「情けない」 for pitiable, deplorable conduct; 「みっともない」 and 「見苦しい」 for unseemly, unsightly behavior or appearance; 「はしたない」 for immodest, improper behavior; 「苦々しい」 mainly voices the observer's disgust rather than labeling something shameful.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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