부끄럽다 (bu-kkeu-reop-da, bukkeureopda) · 창피하다 (chang-pi-ha-da, changpihada)
부끄럽다 expresses shyness or modesty, while 창피하다 emphasizes embarrassment with a sense of shame or negative evaluation.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Used to express feelings of shyness or modesty.
When to use
Shyness on first meeting, Modesty when praised, Describing introverted personality
The nuance
Primarily used to express one's shy or reserved feelings. Can be used in positive contexts and has nuances of modesty or bashfulness.
Used when feeling embarrassed along with strong shame or negative evaluation.
When to use
Shame from mistakes, Embarrassment in public, Negative evaluation by others
The nuance
Used when oneself or others feel shame or negative judgment. Emphasizes embarrassment due to mistakes or faults, mainly in negative situations.
첫 만남이라 조금 부끄러웠어요.
cheos man-nam-i-ra jo-geum bu-kkeu-reo-woss-eo-yo., cheos man nam i ra jo geum bu kkeu reo woss eo yo.
Expressing shyness on a first meeting, 부끄럽다 is appropriate.
첫 만남이라 조금 창피했어요.
cheos man-nam-i-ra jo-geum chang-pi-haess-eo-yo., cheos man nam i ra jo geum chang pi haess eo yo.
For shyness on a first meeting, 부끄럽다 is more natural than 창피하다.
친구들이 칭찬해줘서 부끄러웠어요.
chin-gu-deul-i ching-chan-hae-jwo-seo bu-kkeu-reo-woss-eo-yo., chin gu deul i ching chan hae jwo seo bu kkeu reo woss eo yo.
When expressing modesty about compliments, 부끄럽다 is correct.
친구들이 칭찬해줘서 창피했어요.
chin-gu-deul-i ching-chan-hae-jwo-seo chang-pi-haess-eo-yo., chin gu deul i ching chan hae jwo seo chang pi haess eo yo.
창피하다 sounds awkward and negative when used for receiving compliments.
공공장소에서 넘어져서 너무 창피했어요.
gong-gong-jang-so-e-seo neom-eo-jyeo-seo neo-mu chang-pi-haess-eo-yo., gong gong jang so e seo neom eo jyeo seo neo mu chang pi haess eo yo.
창피하다 is appropriate to express shame and embarrassment from mistakes.
공공장소에서 넘어져서 부끄러웠어요.
gong-gong-jang-so-e-seo neom-eo-jyeo-seo bu-kkeu-reo-woss-eo-yo., gong gong jang so e seo neom eo jyeo seo bu kkeu reo woss eo yo.
창피하다 is stronger for embarrassment from mistakes; 부끄럽다 is weaker here.
내성적인 사람이라 부끄러워해요.
nae-seong-jeok-in sa-ram-i-ra bu-kkeu-reo-wo-hae-yo., nae seong jeok in sa ram i ra bu kkeu reo wo hae yo.
부끄럽다 is natural to describe an introverted personality.
내성적인 사람이라 창피해해요.
nae-seong-jeok-in sa-ram-i-ra chang-pi-hae-hae-yo., nae seong jeok in sa ram i ra chang pi hae hae yo.
창피하다's negative shame nuance doesn't fit describing introversion.
Which word fits expressing feelings after receiving a compliment?
Which word fits feelings after falling in public?
Which word fits describing an introverted person's personality?
What does it mean?
