caam4 zok6慚怍惭怍
Jyutpingcaam4 zok6
Yalechàahm johk
Definition
To feel ashamed.
writtenemotion
How it's used
Literary in nature, this term is rarely used in casual daily speech compared to the more common 羞恥 or 尷尬. It carries a sense of internal moral regret or deep embarrassment rather than just social awkwardness. You will mostly encounter it in formal writing, news reports, or dramatic dialogue.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to feel deeply ashamed
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common everyday word, but using it in a casual conversation with friends can sound overly dramatic or stiff. Stick to 尷尬 when describing simple social awkwardness.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
