French word

embarrassant

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃baʁasɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectiveawkward

Example

C'est embarrassant.

That's awkward.

Illustration for embarrassant (awkward)

More examples

Je trouve ça embarrassant.

I find that awkward.

Core concept

A social moment that suddenly leaves everyone unsure what to say.

Common phrases

  • trouver embarrassant

    find ___ awkward

  • être embarrassant

    be awkward

  • rendre embarrassant

    make ___ awkward

Similar words

gênant: Making the atmosphere awkward and causing people to feel unsure how to react.
embarrassé: Feeling ashamed or flustered because of one's own words or actions.
gêné: Feeling uncomfortable and unable to relax.

Definition in French

Qui rend une situation socialement inconfortable et suscite un malaise passager.

Word origin

French embarrassant comes from the present participle of embarrasser, a verb borrowed from Italian imbarazzare and linked to the idea of hindering or entangling.

Usage tips

  • As an adjective, embarrassant describes a situation or thing, while embarrassé describes a person's embarrassed state.

Other meanings

  • embarrassingadjective
  • troublesomeadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word