Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Shameful" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "shameful", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
みっともない
みっともない (mittomonai)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
浅しい
あさましい (asamashii)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "shameful" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between みっともない and 浅しい.
In Japanese, みっともない (みっともない (mittomonai)) is typically associated with "shameful, disgraceful" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus..
On the other hand, 浅しい (あさましい (asamashii)) maps to "shameful, wretched" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "shameful" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "みっともない"
これはとてもみっともないですね。
This is very shameful, disgraceful, isn't it?
Bilingual Context for "浅しい"
これはとても浅しいですね。
This is very shameful, wretched, isn't it?
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "これはとても ＿＿＿ ですね。" (Meaning: "This is very shameful, disgraceful, isn't it?")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "みっともない" fits here because it means "shameful, disgraceful" in the context of: "This is very shameful, disgraceful, isn't it?". "浅しい" represents "shameful, wretched".