The word 羞愧 is formed by combining two characters, each representing a distinct yet complementary facet of profound embarrassment. 羞 (xiū) conveys the hot, personal sense of shame and awkwardness arising from one's own failure or exposure, while 愧 (kuì) carries the heavier weight of guilt, remorse, and a troubled conscience often tied to failing others or one's own standards. Together, they merge into a single, potent concept that describes a deep, inward-facing humiliation, a burning shame intensified by a pang of moral guilt.