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可耻 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
可耻kěchǐshamefulHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #7332, Very Hard
可耻kěchǐdisgracefulHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #7332, Very Hard
可耻kěchǐignominiousHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #7332, Very Hard
kěchǐ(ke3chi3)ke chi T3
  1. 1shameful
  2. 2disgraceful
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March 24, 2026

可耻(可恥)kěchǐ(ke3chi3)

可耻 (kěchǐ) means 'shameful' or 'disgraceful,' often used to describe actions or behaviors that are considered morally wrong or dishonorable. It conveys a strong sense of social disapproval and can be used in both formal and informal contexts to criticize someone or something that falls short of societal standards.

Strokes15Frequency#7332DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'face' (面子, miànzi) is crucial, and actions deemed 可耻 not only affect personal reputation but also the family's honor. The idea of shame is deeply embedded in social interactions and can have significant implications for one's relationships.

Memory tip

Imagine a person who is so ashamed of their actions that they can't even look at their reflection in the mirror. The character 可 (kě) resembles a person with open arms, while 耻 (chǐ) looks like a person with a hanging head, symbolizing shame. Together, they depict the feeling of disgrace.

Meanings of 可耻

kěchǐ(ke3chi3)
1shameful
2disgraceful
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About 可耻

可耻Simplified
可恥Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 可耻

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AI Study Notes for 可耻

Quick Contrast

可耻 (kěchǐ) vs 丢脸 (diūliǎn) — use 可耻 for moral judgment, while 丢脸 emphasizes personal embarrassment.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 可耻 with similar expressions such as 羞耻 (xiūchǐ), which also means shame but carries a slightly different nuance. The term is more common in formal discussions or written language, while its usage in everyday conversation may sound overly dramatic. Additionally, avoid using it lightly, as it can be quite a strong condemnation.

HSK Study Tips

While 可耻 is not an HSK vocabulary word, understanding it can enhance your grasp of moral and ethical discussions in Chinese. It connects well with other HSK words related to emotions and values, so focus on using it in sentences that discuss behaviors or societal expectations.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes misuse 可耻 in informal settings, making it sound excessively harsh. For example, saying '这个游戏很可耻' (This game is very shameful) might be too strong; instead, consider saying '这个游戏不太好' (This game is not very good) for a lighter critique.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 可耻

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Component Characters

可kěcan
HSK 35 strokes口
View full entry
耻chǐshame
10 strokes耳
View full entry

How to say shameful in Chinese

“shameful” in Chinese is可耻kěchǐ

可耻 (kěchǐ) means 'shameful' or 'disgraceful,' often used to describe actions or behaviors that are considered morally wrong or dishonorable. It conveys a strong sense of social disapproval and can be used in both formal and informal contexts to criticize someone or something that falls short of societal standards.

When to use 可耻

Be careful not to confuse 可耻 with similar expressions such as 羞耻 (xiūchǐ), which also means shame but carries a slightly different nuance. The term is more common in formal discussions or written language, while its usage in everyday conversation may sound overly dramatic. Additionally, avoid using it lightly, as it can be quite a strong condemnation.

可耻 or something close to it

可耻 (kěchǐ) vs 丢脸 (diūliǎn) — use 可耻 for moral judgment, while 丢脸 emphasizes personal embarrassment.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes misuse 可耻 in informal settings, making it sound excessively harsh. For example, saying '这个游戏很可耻' (This game is very shameful) might be too strong; instead, consider saying '这个游戏不太好' (This game is not very good) for a lighter critique.

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可
耻

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Frequently Asked Questions about 可耻

Yes, 可耻 is often used in formal contexts to express strong disapproval.

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