汗颜 (hàn yán) — (literary) ashamed, deeply embarrassed

Definition

Literary/书面语 word for feeling deeply ashamed or embarrassed — from sweating on the face. Much stronger than 不好意思; use it for self-deprecation, often in writing or speeches.

adjective
(literary) ashameddeeply embarrassed

Examples

  • 汗颜
    Miàn duì rú cǐ chéng jiù, wǒ shēn gǎn hàn yán.
    Faced with such achievements, I feel deeply ashamed.
  • 汗颜
    Huí xiǎng qǐ dāng nián de wú zhī, wǒ bù jīn hàn yán.
    Recalling my ignorance back then, I can't help feeling ashamed.
  • 汗颜
    Tā de pī píng ràng wǒ wú dì zì róng, shí zài hàn yán.
    His criticism made me feel mortified; I was truly ashamed.

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