grima
/ˈɡɾima/feminine
In Spanish, 'cringe' can be translated as grima, which refers to secondhand embarrassment. Wiktionary also lists alipori and cringe.
Meaning: secondhand embarrassment (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| grima | /ˈɡɾima/ | feminine |
| alipori | /aliˈpoɾi/ | masculine |
| cringe | /ˈkɾint͡ʃ/ /ˈkɾinxe/ |
masculine |
| lache | /ˈlat͡ʃe/ | masculine |
The noun grima is most commonly used with the verb dar to express the sensation of causing a cringe (e.g., dar grima).
Which one should you use?
While the English word 'cringe' often refers to social embarrassment, grima in Spanish frequently refers to the physical shudder or discomfort caused by unpleasant sensations, such as nails on a blackboard.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
lache is a colloquial term, while cringe is used as masculine slang specifically among younger generations to describe social awkwardness.
How does it change in a sentence?
grima is a feminine noun, so it must be preceded by feminine articles or adjectives, such as mucha grima.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡɾima/
Did you know?
- The slang term lache can be traced back even further to the Sanskrit word for 'shame'.
- The term alipori is an alternative way to express that feeling of cringe or discomfort in certain regions.
Examples in context
- Cuando él araña la pizarra, me da grima.When he runs his fingernails down the blackboard, it makes me cringe.This sentence is useful for illustrating how grima describes the physical discomfort of nails on a blackboard.Tatoeba #12003562 by VERODENIA, translation #12003565 by VERODENIA
- Me da mucha vergüenza ajena ver cómo se equivoca en público.I feel a lot of cringe watching how he messes up in public.
- No pude evitar sentir vergüenza al presenciar su discurso desastroso.I couldn't help but feel embarrassed witnessing his disastrous speech.
- ¡Me da vergüenza ajena cada vez que hace ese chiste malo!I cringe every time he tells that bad joke!
- Fue penoso escucharlo cantar tan desafinado.It was cringeworthy to listen to him sing so off-key.
- Esa película me da mucha grima.That movie gives me a lot of cringe.
- Me da grima ver a la gente bailar así.It's cringey to see people dancing like that.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are watching a talent show on TV.
- Alejandro¿Viste el baile de ese chico?Did you see that boy's dance?
- SofíaSí, me dio muchísima grima.Yes, it gave me so much secondhand embarrassment.
- AlejandroFue muy incómodo de ver.It was very uncomfortable to watch.
- SofíaNo puedo volver a mirar.I can't look again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cringe” translations and entries grima, alipori, cringe, lache, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cringe, grima, lache, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
