शर्म
śarm/ʃəɾm/feminine
The English word shame can be translated into Hindi as शर्म (śarm) or लज्जा. If unsure, use शर्म.
Meaning: uncomfortable or painful feeling (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| शर्म | śarm | /ʃəɾm/ (Hindi, Standard) /ʃə.ɾəm/ (Hindi, Standard) |
feminine |
| लज्जा | lajjā | /ləd̪.d͡ʒɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
Both terms refer to an uncomfortable or painful feeling. शर्म is the most common and widely-used word for shame in Hindi. In conversation, the feeling is often expressed using the verb phrase शर्म आना (śarm ānā), which literally means 'shame to come'. For example, you might say शर्म आ रही है (sharm aa rahi hai) to mean 'I feel shame'.
Which one should you use?
It can mean shame or modesty, and specifically refers to the embarrassment caused by doing something morally wrong or inappropriate.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Northern India, the word लाज (laaj) is used instead of लज्जा to mean shame.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe a person who is feeling ashamed, use the adjective शर्मिंदा (śarmindā).
How do you pronounce it?
śarm
Did you know?
- In traditional Indian culture, शर्म is often seen as a social virtue for women and children, representing a form of respectful modesty rather than a negative emotion.
- The word लज्जा comes from the Sanskrit root लस्ज्, which specifically refers to the physical act of blushing.
- The adjective शर्मिंदा is used to describe someone who is ashamed, but it is a loanword from Persian that carries a slightly more formal weight than the common noun शर्म.
Examples in context
- तब तुझे कोई शर्म नहीं लगी?Did you not feel any shame then?This sentence is useful for asking if someone felt any शर्म.
- उसे मारने के बाद, हत्यारे को कोई लज्जा नहीं हुई।After killing him, the murderer felt no shame.This sentence is useful for describing a lack of लज्जा.
- तुम्हें शर्म नहीं आती है?Don't you feel ashamed?
- मुझे मेरे कर्मों की अब तक शर्म नहीं आई।I haven't felt any shame for my actions yet.
- उसकी बातों में एक अजीब सी शर्म थी।Uskee baaton mein ek ajeeb see sharm thee.There was a strange sense of shame in her words.
Example conversation
Rahul and Priya are discussing a mistake made by a colleague.
- राहुल Rahulक्या उसे अपनी गलती पर कोई शर्म महसूस हुई?Kya usee apnee ghalati par koee sharm mehsoos huee?Did he feel any shame about his mistake?
- प्रिया Priyaनहीं, उसे बिल्कुल भी शर्म नहीं आई।Nahin, usee bilkul bhee sharm nahin aaee.No, he didn't feel any shame at all.
- राहुल Rahulयह तो बहुत ही बुरा व्यवहार है।Yah to bahut hee bura vyavahaar hai.That is very bad behavior.
- प्रिया Priyaहाँ, मुझे भी यह देखकर दुख हुआ।Haan, mujhe bhee yah dekhakar dukh hua.Yes, I felt sad seeing this too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shame” translations and entries शर्म, लज्जा, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries लज्जा, शर्म, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
