sonrojarse
/sonroxaɾse/from spelling rules
To blush in Spanish is sonrojarse.
The verb sonrojarse describes the act of reddening or pinking in the face due to emotions such as shame, shyness, excitement or embarrassment. A common synonym used with similar frequency in many Spanish-speaking regions is ruborizarse.
Meaning: to redden or pinken in the face from shame, shyness, excitement, or embarrassment (verb)
Which one should you use?
While sonrojarse specifically implies blushing due to emotion, ponerse rojo is a more general way to say someone's face turned red, which could be caused by heat or physical exertion.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term Enrojecer is used to describe blushing.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a reflexive verb, sonrojarse requires a reflexive pronoun (such as se, te or me) to indicate that the action is happening to the subject's own face, for example se sonrojó (he/she blushed).
How do you pronounce it?
/sonroxaɾse/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a person who blushes easily is described as ser un tomate, meaning they 'are a tomato'.
- The verb ruborizarse comes from rubor, which derives from the Latin rubor, the same root that gave English the word 'ruby'.
- While sonrojarse describes the action, the noun for 'blush' as a cosmetic product is rubor in Latin America and colorete in Spain.
Examples in context
- Vi a Tom sonrojarse.I saw Tom blush.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use sonrojarse.Tatoeba #13774820 by mervert1, translation #3024274 by CK
- Ella se ruborizóShe blushed
- Me ruborizoI blush
- Te ruborizasYou blush
- Me ruborizo porque me halagóI blush because he/she complimented me
- Se puso colorado de la vergüenzaHe/she blushed with embarrassment
- Cuando le dijeron eso, se puso como un tomate.When they told him/her that, he/she blushed.
- Marta se ruborizó al recibir el elogio.Marta blushed upon receiving the praise.
- Ella suele sonrojarse cuando habla en público.She tends to blush when she speaks in public.
- Él empezó a sonrojarse ante el cumplido.He started to blush at the compliment.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are talking about a recent party.
- Alejandro¿Viste cómo se puso él al recibir el regalo?Did you see how he reacted when he received the gift?
- MaríaSí, lo vi sonrojarse muchísimo.Yes, I saw him blush a lot.
- AlejandroParecía muy avergonzado en ese momento.He looked very embarrassed at that moment.
- MaríaFue un momento muy tierno.It was a very sweet moment.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sonrojarse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
