Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
耻 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
耻
chǐ
shame
n, 10 strokes, radical 耳, rank #13538, Very Hard
耻
chǐ
disgrace
n, 10 strokes, radical 耳, rank #13538, Very Hard
耻
chǐ
shame, humiliation; ashamed
n, 10 strokes, radical 耳, rank #13538, Very Hard
chǐ(chi3)chi T3
1shame
2disgrace
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
耻(恥)chǐ(chi3)
The character 耻 (chǐ) conveys the idea of shame or disgrace. It is often used to describe feelings of embarrassment or humiliation, and can be employed in both personal and social contexts, indicating a sense of moral failure or dishonor.
Strokes10Radical耳Frequency#13538DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of shame is deeply rooted in Confucian values, where personal honor and the reputation of one's family are paramount. Losing face (丢脸) is a significant social concern, making the understanding of 耻 essential in grasping social dynamics.
Memory tip
Imagine a person with a 'ch' (chǐ) in their throat, unable to speak due to the weight of their shame. The radical 耳 (ear) suggests listening to the inner voice of shame, while the character's form evokes a feeling of being weighed down by disgrace.
Meanings of 耻
chǐ(chi3)
1shame
2disgrace
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 耻 means.
About 耻
耻Simplified
恥Traditional
10Strokes
耳Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13538Frequency Rank
Podcast: 耻
Podcast: 耻
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 耻
Quick Contrast
羞 (xiū) vs. 耻 (chǐ): Use 耻 when referring to a sense of moral failure or disgrace, while 羞 emphasizes personal embarrassment or shyness.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 耻 (chǐ) with similar-sounding words like 餐 (cān), which means meal. It is typically used in a more formal context, often in discussions about ethics or social behavior. Common collocations include 耻辱 (chǐrǔ - disgrace) and 丢脸 (diūliǎn - to lose face), emphasizing the concept of shame in various situations.
HSK Study Tips
Although 耻 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is relevant for advanced learners. Understanding this character can enhance comprehension of discussions surrounding morality and social norms, which are often featured in higher-level readings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 耻 (chǐ) with similar characters, leading to incorrect usage. For example, using 害 (hài - harm) instead of 耻 in a sentence about feeling ashamed is incorrect; the right phrase would be '我感到耻辱' (Wǒ gǎndào chǐrǔ - I feel shame).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 耻
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 耻, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 耻 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 耻?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 耻 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
耻 = 耳 + 止. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 耻
IDS Structure⿰耳止
耻Full character
=
耳er3
left
止zhi3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 耻?
How to say shame in Chinese
“shame” in Chinese is耻chǐ
The character 耻 (chǐ) conveys the idea of shame or disgrace. It is often used to describe feelings of embarrassment or humiliation, and can be employed in both personal and social contexts, indicating a sense of moral failure or dishonor.
When to use 耻
Be cautious not to confuse 耻 (chǐ) with similar-sounding words like 餐 (cān), which means meal. It is typically used in a more formal context, often in discussions about ethics or social behavior. Common collocations include 耻辱 (chǐrǔ - disgrace) and 丢脸 (diūliǎn - to lose face), emphasizing the concept of shame in various situations.
耻 or something close to it
羞 (xiū) vs. 耻 (chǐ): Use 耻 when referring to a sense of moral failure or disgrace, while 羞 emphasizes personal embarrassment or shyness.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 耻 (chǐ) with similar characters, leading to incorrect usage. For example, using 害 (hài - harm) instead of 耻 in a sentence about feeling ashamed is incorrect; the right phrase would be '我感到耻辱' (Wǒ gǎndào chǐrǔ - I feel shame).
Write 耻
耻
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 耻 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar patterns of 耻
耻 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这位大名鼎鼎的电影制片人声色俱厉地抨击了这些说法，称之为“无____的谎言”。
The famed film-maker slammed the claims as "an outrageous lie"
Example sentences for 耻 (16)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这位大名鼎鼎的电影制片人声色俱厉地抨击了这些说法，称之为“无耻的谎言”。
zhè wèi dàmíngdǐngdǐng de diànyǐng zhì piàn rén shēng sè jù lì dì pēngjī le zhèxiē shuōfǎ， chèn zhī wèi“ wúchǐ de huǎngyán”。
The famed film-maker slammed the claims as "an outrageous lie"
There is very little stigma attached to crime and criminals.
9
苏小姐骂方鸿 渐 无耻,实在是冤枉.
sū xiǎojiě mà fāng hóng jiān wúchǐ, shízài shì yuānwang.
Miss Su's condemnation of Fang Hung - chien for being shameless was actually unjust.
10
他感到羞耻,丢尽了面子.
tā gǎndào xiūchǐ, diū jìn le miànzi.
He was ashamed and bitterly humiliated.
11
他说谎是他的耻。
Tā shuō huǎng shì tā de chǐ.
Lying is his shame.
12
丢东西是我的耻。
Diū dōngxi shì wǒ de chǐ.
Losing things is my shame.
13
他不觉得这是耻。
Tā bù juéde zhè shì chǐ.
He doesn't feel this is a shame.
14
我不想有耻。
Wǒ bù xiǎng yǒu chǐ.
I don't want to have shame.
15
他觉得自己的错误是个耻。
Tā juéde zìjǐ de cuòwù shì gè chǐ.
He feels that his mistake is a shame.
16
不学习是我的耻。
Bù xuéxí shì wǒ de chǐ.
Not studying is my shame.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 耻?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Cultural Notes for 耻
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, shame is often viewed as a personal emotion primarily related to individual actions, whereas in Chinese culture, it frequently extends to family and community reputation.
Word Family of 耻
Words containing this character20
无耻wúchǐunembarrassed無恥
耻辱chǐrǔdisgrace恥辱
羞耻xiūchǐ(a feeling of) shame羞恥
可耻kěchǐshameful可恥
耻chǐshame恥
廉耻liánchǐhonor and shame廉恥
国耻guóchǐnational humiliation, refers to Japanese incursions into China in the 1930s and 40s, and more especially to Mukden railway incident of 18th September 1931 九一八事變|九一八事变 and subsequent Japanese annexation of Manchuria國恥
耻笑chǐxiàoto sneer at sb恥笑
耻骨chǐgǔpubis恥骨
奇耻大辱qíchǐdàrǔextraordinary shame and humiliation (idiom)奇恥大辱
厚颜无耻hòuyánwúchǐshameless厚顏無恥
知耻zhīchǐto have a sense of shame知恥
恬不知耻tiánbùzhīchǐto have no sense of shame恬不知恥
不知羞耻bùzhīxiūchǐbrazen不知羞恥
雪耻xuěchǐto take revenge for a past insult雪恥
不耻下问bùchǐxiàwènnot feel ashamed to ask and learn from one's subordinates不恥下問
礼义廉耻lǐyìliánchǐsense of propriety, justice, integrity and honor (i.e. the four social bonds, 四維|四维[sìwéi])禮義廉恥
荒淫无耻huāngyínwúchǐshameless荒淫無恥
报仇雪耻bàochóuxuěchǐto take revenge and erase humiliation (idiom)報仇雪恥
忍耻rěnchǐto endure humiliation忍恥
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 耻
What does 无耻 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 耻
While both mean shame, 耻 (chǐ) often implies a more public disgrace, whereas 羞 (xiū) refers to personal embarrassment.
You can say '我感到很耻' (Wǒ gǎndào hěn chǐ) meaning 'I feel very ashamed'.
It's more common in formal discussions or literature, rather than casual conversations.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 耻?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
