Topic
Japanese Proverbs About Reputation and Shame
Japanese proverbs about reputation and shame help discuss good name, pride, public judgment, and the feeling of losing face. This selection is useful when readers need to understand social pressure that is not always spoken aloud.
Japanese Proverbs: Reputation and Shame
Showing 1-23 of 23 entries // Page 1 of 1
開いた口が塞がらない
aita kuchi ga fusagaranaiTo be so stunned or dumbfounded by someone's appalling behavior that one is left speechless.
空樽は音が高い
akidaru wa oto ga takaiPeople who lack knowledge or ability tend to be the ones who talk the most and brag loudly.
悪事千里を走る
akuji senri o hashiruBad deeds and negative rumors spread quickly to the world.
悪事千里を行く
akuji senri o ikuBad deeds and negative reputations spread rapidly over great distances.
穴があったら入りたい
ana ga attara hairitaiTo be so deeply embarrassed that one wants to hide or disappear.
仰いで天に愧じず
aoide ten ni hajizuLiving with a clear conscience, having absolutely nothing to be ashamed of when reflecting on one's actions.
後は野となれ山となれ
ato wa no to nare yama to nareAn expression describing an irresponsible attitude where one only cares about the immediate situation and ignores the consequences that follow.
後足で砂をかける
atoashi de suna o kakeruBetraying a benefactor and causing them further trouble or dishonor upon one's departure.
馬脚を露わす
bakyaku o arawasuTo reveal one's hidden true nature or actual level of skill due to a slip-up.
万人受け
bannin ukeBeing liked by everyone or having universal appeal.
武士は食わねど高楊枝
bushi wa kuwanedo takayoujiMaintaining one's dignity and pride even when facing poverty or hardship.
江戸の敵を長崎で討つ
edo no kataki o nagasaki de utsuSettling a past grudge in an unexpected place or through an unrelated matter.
得手に鼻突く
ete ni hana tsukuTo boast or show off about something one is good at.
言語道断
gongo dou danAn expression used to describe something so outrageous, absurd, or inexcusable that it cannot be put into words.
恥の上塗り
haji no uwanuriTo pile further shame on top of an existing failure, while trying to cover it up.
針の筵
hari no mushiroA situation where one feels extreme discomfort or mental pain due to their surroundings.
引かれ者の小唄
hikare mono no koutaPutting on a brave front or making sore-loser remarks to hide one's true distress or defeat.
品行方正
hinkou houseiBehaving in a morally upright and exemplary manner.
人の口に戸は立てられぬ
hito no kuchi ni to wa taterarenuIt is impossible to stop people from gossiping or spreading rumors.
人のうわさも七十五日
hito no uwasa mo shichijugo nichiRumors and gossip are naturally forgotten by the public as time passes.
一挙手一投足
ikkyoshu ittosokuRefers to every single movement or action a person takes, no matter how minor.
命長ければ恥多し
inochi nagakereba haji ooshiLiving a long life increases the opportunities for experiencing shame and disgrace.
飼い犬に手を噛まれる
kaiinu ni te o kamareruTo be unexpectedly betrayed or harmed by a subordinate or someone you have nurtured and treated with care.