Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| avergonzado | /abeɾɡonˈθado/ /abeɾɡonˈsado/ |
| abochornado | /abot͡ʃoɾˈnado/ |
| apenado | /apeˈnado/ |
These terms describe the feeling of shame or guilt. When expressing what you are ashamed of, use the preposition de (e.g., avergonzado de…), whereas in English you might use by or for in certain contexts.
Which one should you use?
The forms in this language differ by the intensity and type of feeling described. Avergonzado implies a deep sense of guilt or moral shame. In contrast, abochornado often refers to the physical sensation of being red-faced or momentarily embarrassed in a social situation. Apenado is a milder, more polite way to express feeling bad or embarrassed about a social blunder.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the word must agree in gender with the person feeling the shame: avergonzado for a male and avergonzada for a female.
How do you pronounce it?
/abeɾɡonˈθado/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers may use dar vergüenza to describe being ashamed, which literally translates to 'it gives shame', making the emotion an external force acting on the person.
- The word apenado shares its root with pena, a term that historically referred to a 'legal penalty' or 'punishment'.
- The term abochornado shares a linguistic root with the word 'bochorno', which in many Spanish-speaking regions refers to a stifling, oppressive heat.
Examples in context
- Estoy avergonzado por haberlo hecho.I'm ashamed I did it.This sentence shows how to use avergonzado to express regret for an action.Tatoeba #6670332 by arh, translation #9678966 by DJ_Saidez
- Estaba avergonzado de mi comportamiento.I was ashamed of my behavior.This sentence shows how to use avergonzado to express shame regarding behavior.Tatoeba #1703637 by teskmon, translation #258250 by CK
- Estoy avergonzado de la flojera de mi hijo.I am ashamed of my son's laziness.This sentence shows how to use avergonzado to express shame regarding someone else's traits.Tatoeba #1517595 by marcelostockle, translation #259209 by CK
- Me siento avergonzado por mi error.I feel ashamed of my mistake.
- Estoy avergonzada de mi comportamiento.I am ashamed of my behavior.
- Me siento apenado por lo ocurrido.I feel ashamed of what happened.
- Estoy apenada por no haber cumplido con mis responsabilidades.I am ashamed for not fulfilling my responsibilities.
- Me siento cargado de vergüenza por mi comportamiento.I feel loaded with shame because of my behavior.
- Estoy cargada de vergüenza por lo que dije.I am loaded with shame for what I said.
- Me puse colorado cuando todos me miraron.I turned red when everyone looked at me.
- Se puso colorada al reconocer su equivocación.She turned red when acknowledging her mistake.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro apologizes to Lucía for forgetting her birthday.
- AlejandroPerdona, me siento muy avergonzado por olvidar tu cumpleaños.Forgive me, I feel very ashamed for forgetting your birthday.
- LucíaNo te preocupes, Alejandro, no pasa nada.Don't worry, Alejandro, it's okay.
- AlejandroDe verdad estoy avergonzado, quiero invitarte a cenar.I'm truly ashamed, I want to take you out to dinner.
- LucíaEstá bien, acepto la invitación, Lucía dice que te perdona.It's okay, I accept the invitation, Lucía says she forgives you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ashamed” translations and entries avergonzado, abochornado, apenado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abochornado, apenado, avergonzado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
