caam4 kwai3慚愧惭愧

Jyutpingcaam4 kwai3

Yalechàahm kwai

Uncommon

Definition

Ashamed; the feeling of shame or humiliation resulting from doing something wrong or foolish.

neutralemotion

How it's used

Expresses a deep, internal sense of moral regret or humility rather than just simple embarrassment. It is frequently used when someone feels they have failed to live up to expectations or have let someone down. While it can be used in casual speech, it carries a weightier, more sincere tone than just feeling awkward or shy.

Examples

nam2諗faan1返hei2起go2嗰zan6陣gam3咁joeng2樣deoi3對keoi5佢，ngo5我zan1真hai6係hou2好caam4慚kwai5愧。

Thinking back to how I treated them, I really feel ashamed.

nei5你zou6做co3錯zo2咗je5嘢，gok3覺dak1得caam4慚kwai5愧hai6係hou2好zeng3正soeng4常㗎。

It is perfectly normal to feel ashamed when you have done something wrong.

Common phrases

sam1深gam2感caam4慚kwai5愧

to feel deeply ashamed

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 尷尬, which refers to feeling socially awkward or embarrassed in a public situation. 慚愧 implies a moral failing or a sense of guilt, whereas 尷尬 is usually about a lack of social grace or an uncomfortable moment.