Nihoner
恐縮
kyoushuku
also spelled kyoshuku
feeling (much) obliged, being (very) grateful, being thankful
All Senses
  1. kyoushuku feeling (much) obliged, being (very) grateful, being thankful; feeling sorry (for troubling someone), feeling ashamed (e.g. of an error), feeling embarrassed (e.g. by someone's compliments, hospitality, etc.)
How it's used

Very formal, used in business or polite apologies, often in set phrases like '恐縮ですが' to preface requests or express gratitude.

恐縮ですが、少しお時間よろしいですか。
Kyoushuku desu ga, sukoshi ojikan yoroshii desu ka.
I'm sorry to trouble you, but do you have a moment?

ご丁寧に説明いただき恐縮です。
Goteinei ni setsumei itadaki kyoushuku desu.
I'm much obliged for your kind explanation.

Nihoner AI Pronunciation Engine v3.2 · ja-JP

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Kanji Breakdown
恐
Fear, Dread, Awe
On: きょう Kun: おそ.れる,おそ.る,おそ.ろしい,こわ.い,こわ.がる
10 strokes N3
縮
Shrink, Contract, Shrivel, Wrinkle, Reduce
On: しゅく Kun: ちぢ.む,ちぢ.まる,ちぢ.める,ちぢ.れる,ちぢ.らす
17 strokes N1
How to Use This Word
Noun (名詞)
Pattern
恐縮は〜です。 / 〜の恐縮

💡 Use は or が to mark this word as the topic or subject of a sentence.

Example
この恐縮はとても大切です。
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Found in a wide range of contexts. Useful for building reading and listening fluency.

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Lv 1
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