fremdschämen
The English word 'cringe' (referring to secondhand embarrassment) is expressed in German as fremdschämen.
In standard German, fremdschämen is used to describe the feeling of secondhand embarrassment. In modern youth slang, however, the English loanword 'cringe' is frequently used as an adjective to describe something embarrassing.
Meaning: secondhand embarrassment (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word fremdschämen is a compound of fremd (foreign or other) and schämen (to feel shame).
Which one should you use?
While fremdschämen refers to the emotional feeling of secondhand embarrassment, zusammenzucken should be used if you are describing the physical reflex of cringing, such as flinching or recoiling from fear or disgust.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using fremdschämen as a verb, it is reflexive and requires the pronoun sich (e.g., sich fremdschämen).
Did you know?
- The word fremdschämen is so culturally ingrained that it became the 'Word of the Year' for the Duden dictionary in 2008.
- The verb schämen used in this context carries a heavier weight of moral shame than the English 'cringe', which is often used more lightly.
- While English speakers often 'cringe' at their own past mistakes, fremdschämen specifically refers to shame felt for someone else.
Example conversation
Lukas and Hannah are watching a bad talent show on TV.
- LukasSchau dir das an, das ist ja peinlich!Look at that, it's so embarrassing!
- HannahOh ja, ich kann mich gerade richtig fremdschämen.Oh yes, I'm really cringing right now.
- LukasSoll ich den Fernseher ausschalten, Hannah?Should I turn off the TV, Hannah?
- HannahJa, bitte, ich halte das nicht mehr aus.Yes, please, I can't stand it anymore.
