Spanish word

vergüenza

Pronunciation

IPA/beɾˈɣwenθa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounembarrassment

Example

La vergüenza le impidió contestar.

Embarrassment prevented him from answering.

Illustration for vergüenza (embarrassment)

More examples

Me da vergüenza hablar en público.

I'm embarrassed to speak in public.

Core concept

Person lowering gaze and shrinking away in a social setting.

Common phrases

  • tener vergüenza

    feel embarrassed

  • pasar vergüenza

    suffer embarrassment

  • dar vergüenza

    embarrass

Similar words

pena: A bashful, awkward feeling that causes self-consciousness and modesty in company.
timidez: A tendency toward shyness that makes interaction and being noticed uncomfortable.
bochorno: A powerful, burning humiliation that overwhelms and makes one visibly flustered.
sonrojo: A visible pinking of the cheeks caused by a bodily blush in response to embarrassment.

Definition in Spanish

Sentimiento de vergüenza o timidez que provoca incomodidad ante otras personas y el deseo de evitar miradas o atención.

Word origin

From the Latin root verecund- meaning modesty or reverence, vergüenza refers to the uncomfortable desire to avoid attention or others' looks.

Usage tips

  • To explain reluctance, speakers commonly say "me da vergüenza + infinitive" to mean "I am too embarrassed to..."

Other meanings

  • shynessnoun
  • awkwardnessnoun

Opposites

  • confianzaconfidencenoun
  • desvergüenzashamelessnessnoun

Related words

  • avergonzarembarrassverb
  • vergonzosoembarrassingadjective
  • vergonzosamentebashfullyadverb

Word lists with this word