Definition
惭愧 means feeling apologetic or ashamed specifically about one's own inadequacy or fault, often used politely to express regret for letting someone down. It is less intense than 羞耻/羞愧 (deep shame) and distinct from 害羞 (shy/bashful) and 可耻 (disgraceful, for actions). 难为情 is more about awkward embarrassment from social situations.
adjective
ashamedapologetic (about one's own inadequacy or fault)
Examples
- ，惭愧。Tīng dào tā de biǎoyáng, wǒ fǎn'ér juéde hěn cán kuì.Hearing his praise, I on the contrary felt quite ashamed.
- ，惭愧。Méi néng bāng shàng máng, wǒ shífēn cán kuì.Not being able to help, I feel very apologetic.
- 惭愧！。cán kuì! Zhè diǎn xiǎo shì dōu zuò bù hǎo.I feel so ashamed — can't even handle this little task.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.