hon6 ngaan4汗顏汗颜

Jyutpinghon6 ngaan4

Yalehohn ngàahn

名詞

Definition

Feeling deeply ashamed or embarrassed.

writtenemotion

How it's used

Literary in origin, this term is used in modern Cantonese to express a deep sense of shame or embarrassment, often when comparing one's own performance or character to someone else's. It carries a more formal or intellectual weight than the common 慚愧. It is frequently used in written contexts or formal speech, though it can be used colloquially to add a touch of self-deprecation.

Examples

nam2諗hei2起zi6自gei2己ji5以cin4前gam3咁joeng2樣zou6做，zan1真hai6係hou2好hon6汗ngaan4顏。

Thinking back on how I acted before, I really feel ashamed.

gin3見dou2到keoi5佢gam3咁nou5努lik6力，nei5你m4唔wui2會gok3覺dak1得hon6汗ngaan4顏me1咩？

Seeing how hard they work, don't you feel ashamed?

Common phrases

hon6汗ngaan4顏

to make someone feel ashamed

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe simple social awkwardness or minor mistakes, as it implies a moral or significant sense of shame. It is not a casual word for feeling shy or embarrassed in front of others.