Spanish Conversation · Level 141
43 words
Spanish word
acomplejar
Pronunciation
IPA/akompleˈxaɾ/
Meaning
- verbmake someone feel self-conscious
Example
Su actitud me acomplejó y no pude hablar.
His attitude made me feel self-conscious and I couldn't speak.
More examples
Los comentarios negativos pueden acomplejar a cualquiera.
Negative comments can make anyone feel self-conscious.
Core concept
Person causing another to lower their gaze and shrink back.
Common phrases
acomplejar a alguien
make someone feel self-conscious
acomplejar a los demás
make others feel self-conscious
Similar words
avergonzar: Cause someone to feel embarrassed or ashamed about something.
intimidar: Cause someone to feel intimidated and hold back words or actions.
cohibir: Cause someone's behavior or expression to become stiff, preventing natural ease.
apabullar: Overwhelm someone with force or pressure, leaving them daunted and hesitant.
Definition in Spanish
Causar en otra persona sentimientos de inseguridad, vergüenza o pérdida de autoestima.
Word origin
From Spanish complejo (from Latin complexus) plus the verbal suffix -ar, meaning to cause someone to have a complejo (an inferiority complex).
Usage tips
- Used transitively with a to mark who is affected (acomplejar a alguien); contrast with acomplejarse, which means to become self-conscious oneself.
Other meanings
- make someone feel insecureverb
- hurt someone's self-esteemverb
Opposites
- enorgullecermake proudverb
- animarencourageverb
Related words
- acomplejadoinsecureadjective
- acomplejamientoinferiority complexnoun