恐縮 (Kyoushuku) is a Japanese noun meaning “feeling (much) obliged, being (very) grateful, being thankful, feeling sorry (for troubling someone)”.
Meanings
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbfeeling (much) obliged; being (very) grateful; being thankful
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbfeeling sorry (for troubling someone); feeling ashamed (e.g. of an error); feeling embarrassed (e.g. by someone's compliments, hospitality, etc.)oft. before a request, as 恐縮ですが
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbshrinking back in fear
Examples
ご親切に恐縮しております。
Your kindness overwhelms me.
お時間をとらせて恐縮です。
I am sorry to have taken up your valuable time.
恐縮ですがお手伝い願えませんか。
May I make so bold as to request your assistance?
Sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR).