恥じる

• Reading: はじる
• Romaji: hajiru
• Kanji breakdown: 恥 (ha/chi) — shame, embarrassment
• Pronunciation: /ha.dʑi.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To feel ashamed; to be embarrassed about one's own actions or shortcomings.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb. More introspective than 恥ずかしい (which describes a feeling); 恥じる implies moral self-reflection. Often used with を to mark what one feels ashamed of. Common in formal and literary contexts.

Examples

1. 自分の過去の行いを恥じている。 I'm ashamed of my past actions.
2. 何も知らないことを恥じる必要はない。 There's no need to be ashamed of not knowing something.
3. 彼は失敗を恥じて、しばらく人前に出なかった。 He was ashamed of his failure and kept out of public view for a while.

Usage Guide

Context: self-reflection, morality, literature

Tone: solemn

Origin & History

From the noun 恥 (haji — shame), one of the core concepts in Japanese culture. The kanji combines 耳 (ear) and 心 (heart), suggesting shame felt in the heart when hearing criticism.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal