In everyday English, some words carry a deep emotional meaning that goes beyond simple translation. One such word is abashed. It is not a word used frequently in casual speech, but when it appears, it describes a very specific kind of feeling embarrassment mixed with self-consciousness. Understanding the meaning of abashed, especially its interpretation in Hindi, helps learners of English connect emotions and expressions naturally. Let’s explore theabashed meaning in Hindiwith examples and related uses to make the concept clearer.
Understanding the Meaning of Abashed
The word abashed is an adjective used to describe a person who feels embarrassed, ashamed, or uneasy because of something they did or experienced. It expresses a moment of discomfort when someone realizes that their actions or words have drawn unwanted attention or caused a mistake. The emotion is subtle, often a mix of shame and shyness.
In Hindi, the word abashed can be translated as शरà¥à¤®à¤¿à¤à¤¦à¤¾ (sharminda), लà¤à¥à¤à¤¿à¤¤ (lajjit), or सà¤à¤à¥à¤ मà¥à¤ पड़ा हà¥à¤ (sankoch mein pada hua). All of these Hindi terms refer to someone who feels a sense of embarrassment or awkwardness.
Definition of Abashed
To put it simply, the definition of abashed isfeeling embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed due to one’s own behavior or situation.It is the opposite of being confident or composed in a given situation.
For example, if someone compliments you unexpectedly and you blush or look away shyly, you might feel abashed. It does not always imply guilt sometimes it just shows modesty or self-consciousness.
Examples of Abashed in Sentences
Understanding a word becomes easier when we see how it is used in real situations. Here are some simple and practical examples of abashed in English, along with their Hindi meanings
- Example 1She looked abashed when everyone started clapping for her unexpected success.
हिà¤à¤¦à¥ ठरà¥à¤¥à¤à¤¬ सब लà¥à¤ à¤à¤¸à¤à¥ ठपà¥à¤°à¤¤à¥à¤ ाशित सफलता पर तालॠबà¤à¤¾à¤¨à¥ लठॠतॠवह शरà¥à¤®à¤¿à¤à¤¦à¤¾ लठरहॠथà¥à¥¤ - Example 2He felt abashed after realizing he had interrupted the teacher.
हिà¤à¤¦à¥ ठरà¥à¤¥à¤à¤¸à¥ शरà¥à¤® महसà¥à¤¸ हà¥à¤ à¤à¤¬ à¤à¤¸à¥ à¤à¤¹à¤¸à¤¾à¤¸ हà¥à¤ à¤à¤¿ à¤à¤¸à¤¨à¥ ठधà¥à¤ ापठà¤à¥ बात à¤à¤¾à¤ दॠथà¥à¥¤ - Example 3The child was abashed when his drawing was laughed at by classmates.
हिà¤à¤¦à¥ ठरà¥à¤¥à¤à¤¬ सहपाठिठà¥à¤ नॠà¤à¤¸à¤à¥ डà¥à¤°à¤¾à¤à¤à¤ पर हà¤à¤¸à¥ à¤à¤¡à¤¼à¤¾à¤ तॠबà¤à¥à¤à¤¾ लà¤à¥à¤à¤¿à¤¤ हॠठठा। - Example 4She smiled, slightly abashed, when her mistake was pointed out gently.
हिà¤à¤¦à¥ ठरà¥à¤¥à¤à¤¬ à¤à¤¸à¤à¥ ठलतॠà¤à¥ धà¥à¤°à¥ सॠबताठा ठठा तॠवह हलà¥à¤à¥ शरà¥à¤® à¤à¥ साथ मà¥à¤¸à¥à¤à¤°à¤¾à¤à¥¤
Synonyms of Abashed
There are several words in English that share similar meanings with abashed. Knowing these synonyms helps in broadening vocabulary and using them appropriately in different contexts.
- Embarrassed
- Ashamed
- Self-conscious
- Disconcerted
- Humiliated
- Flustered
Although these words are close in meaning, there are small differences. For instance, embarrassed is more general, while abashed often carries a softer, more inward emotion like modesty mixed with discomfort.
Antonyms of Abashed
To understand abashed completely, it’s also useful to know its opposites. The antonyms show the contrast in feeling and help in building clearer expressions.
- Confident
- Composed
- Unashamed
- Bold
- Assured
These antonyms describe someone who remains calm, self-assured, or unaffected even in potentially awkward situations.
Word Origin and History
The word abashed has an interesting history. It comes from the Middle English word abaschen, which in turn derived from the Old French esbaà r, meaning to astonish or make ashamed. Over time, the meaning evolved to represent the emotional reaction of being uncomfortable or self-conscious in front of others. The related noun form abashment refers to the state or feeling of embarrassment itself.
Grammar and Usage
Abashed is the past participle form of the verb abash. It is used as an adjective to describe the emotional state of a person. You might see it used with linking verbs such as was, felt, or looked.
For example
- He was abashed by her kind words.
- They looked abashed after being caught whispering during the meeting.
When used in writing or speech, it gives a more nuanced tone compared to simply saying embarrassed. It conveys a sense of modest self-awareness rather than deep humiliation.
Difference Between Abashed and Embarrassed
Although abashed and embarrassed are often used interchangeably, they have subtle differences in tone. Embarrassed is a more common and general term, while abashed sounds slightly formal and poetic. Abashed is often used in literature to express an inward, quiet embarrassment rather than a dramatic or public one.
For example
- Embarrassed He was embarrassed when he spilled coffee on his shirt in front of everyone.
- Abashed He was abashed when his teacher praised him unexpectedly.
In the second example, the feeling is not of humiliation but of being modestly flustered by attention.
Practical Examples from Everyday Life
Let’s see how the word abashed might appear in different real-life situations. This helps learners understand its use in context.
- At workA new employee might feel abashed after making a small mistake during their first presentation.
- In schoolA student could look abashed when asked a question they forgot the answer to.
- In social settingsSomeone may become abashed when complimented in front of friends.
- In relationshipsA person might feel abashed when they realize they forgot a friend’s birthday.
How to Use Abashed Naturally in Sentences
To use abashed effectively, think about situations where someone feels small, shy, or momentarily uncomfortable. It’s a word that conveys sensitivity and emotion, so it fits best in soft, reflective sentences.
For example
- He was abashed by her unexpected kindness.
- They exchanged abashed smiles after realizing their mistake.
- Her abashed expression showed she didn’t expect so much praise.
Idiomatic Usage and Related Forms
While abashed is an adjective, it has a related verb form abash and a noun form abashment. Here’s how they are used
- Abash (verb)To make someone feel embarrassed or ashamed.
Example The question abashed the young student. - Abashment (noun)The feeling of embarrassment or unease.
Example His abashment was visible when the crowd applauded him.
Common Expressions Using Abashed
Although it’s not part of many idioms, abashed can appear in literary expressions or poetic descriptions. Writers often use it to describe quiet or delicate emotions, such as in love stories or dramatic scenes.
For instance
- She turned away, abashed by his gaze.
- He stood abashed, unsure of what to say next.
The word abashed beautifully captures the emotion of gentle embarrassment or modest shame. Its Hindi meaning शरà¥à¤®à¤¿à¤à¤¦à¤¾ (sharminda) or लà¤à¥à¤à¤¿à¤¤ (lajjit) reflects the same feeling of unease mixed with humility. Though less common in modern conversation, it adds depth and expressiveness to writing and speech. Whether you are a student learning English or someone looking to enrich your vocabulary, understandingabashed meaning in Hindiand seeing it used in real examples helps you grasp not only the word but the emotion behind it. So the next time you find yourself shyly smiling or blushing after praise, remember that feeling is being abashed.