‘无愧’ literally means 'without shame' and functions as an adjective meaning 'worthy,' 'deserving,' or 'without regret or guilt.' The first character 无 (wú) means 'not' or 'without,' while 愧 (kuì) means 'shame,' 'guilt,' or 'remorse.' Together, they express a strong sense of moral integrity, self-respect, and justified pride—often used to affirm that someone’s actions, achievements, or character fully match high expectations or ideals.

This word is commonly found in formal, literary, or inspirational contexts—such as speeches, biographies, award citations, or self-reflection. It frequently appears with the particle 地 (de) to modify verbs (e.g., 无愧地承担), or after 是 (shì) to form predicates (e.g., 他无愧为一名好老师). While positive in tone, it carries weight and gravitas; it’s not used casually in everyday conversation but rather to underscore authenticity, honor, or earned distinction.