屈辱的

• Reading: くつじょくてき
• Romaji: kutsujokuteki
• Kanji breakdown: 屈 (kutsu) — bend, yield; 辱 (joku) — disgrace, insult; 的 (teki) — -like, -ical
• Pronunciation: /kɯ.tsɯ.dʑo.kɯ.te.ki/

Meaning

Humiliating; degrading. Describes an experience or situation that causes deep shame or disgrace.

A na-adjective formed from 屈辱 (humiliation) + 的 (adjectival suffix). Used to characterise experiences, defeats, or treatment that wound someone's pride or dignity. Common in formal contexts such as news reports, historical accounts, and literary descriptions. Often collocates with 敗北 (defeat), 扱い (treatment), and 経験 (experience).

Examples

1. チームにとって屈辱的な敗北だった。 It was a humiliating defeat for the team.
2. 屈辱的な扱いを受けて怒りを感じた。 I felt furious at the degrading way I was treated.
3. あの経験は彼にとって屈辱的なものだった。 That experience was deeply humiliating for him.

Usage Guide

Context: news, history, sports, literature

Tone: grave

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 屈辱 (kutsujoku, humiliation) + 的 (teki, -like/-ical). 屈 means 'to bend/yield' and 辱 means 'disgrace/insult,' together conveying the idea of being forced to bow in shame.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal