Japanese meaning of 厚顔無恥

Reading:
こうがんむち (kougan muchi)

English Translation:

Brazen and shameless behavior

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:


Shameless and brazen behavior without embarrassment.

Cultural Context:


Often used to criticize unethical politicians or rude individuals.

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

• Noun phrase describing shameless behavior; often followed by verbs like “である” or “な態度.”

Trap for English Speakers

May be misinterpreted as a physical description of the face, missing the metaphorical meaning of moral shamelessness.

Example

Basic Example

彼の厚顔無恥な発言に皆が驚いた。

Everyone was shocked by his brazen and shameless remark.


Applied Example

あの政治家は不正が明らかになっても厚顔無恥に笑顔を見せ続けた。

Even after his corruption was exposed, that politician kept smiling with brazen shamelessness.