Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| vergonhoso | /veʁ.ɡõˈɲo.zu/ (Brazil) /veɾ.ɡõˈɲo.zu/ (São Paulo) |
| infame | /ĩˈfɐ̃.mi/ (Brazil) /ĩˈfɐ.mɨ/ (Portugal) |
The term is used to describe something that brings or warrants disgrace. It is related to the concepts of being infamous or scandalous.
Which one should you use?
While vergonhoso can mean 'disgraceful', it is also the standard word for 'shameful' or 'embarrassing' in everyday contexts. In contrast, the form infame carries a stronger connotation of being vile or having a bad reputation than vergonhoso, which can sometimes be used for minor embarrassments.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective vergonhoso must agree in gender with the noun it modifies: use vergonhosa for feminine nouns, vergonhosos for masculine plural nouns and vergonhosas for feminine plural nouns. The adjective infame is invariable in gender, but you must add the plural ending -es to form infames.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /veʁ.ɡõˈɲo.zu/.
Did you know?
- While vergonhoso describes the thing causing the disgrace, the phrase ter vergonha is used to describe the feeling of being shy or timid.
- In legal or highly formal Portuguese contexts, infame can specifically refer to someone who has suffered 'infamy', a historical legal loss of civil rights.
- The word infame shares a deep linguistic root with the English word 'fame'. However, because of the Latin prefix 'in-', it functions as the direct opposite of being famous in a positive sense.
Examples in context
- O atraso do voo foi uma vergonha completa.The flight delay was a complete shame.
- É desprezível a forma como tratam os mais frágeis.It is disgraceful the way they treat the most fragile.
- O escândalo político foi um episódio infame na história do país.The political scandal was an infamous episode in the country's history.
- Foi um comportamento vergonhoso.It was a disgraceful behavior.
- Esse comportamento é vergonhoso.That behavior is disgraceful.
- Foi um erro vergonhoso.It was a disgraceful mistake.
- O preço deles é vergonhoso.Their price is disgraceful.
Example conversation
Felipe and Beatriz are discussing a news report about corruption.
- FelipeVocê viu a notícia sobre o político?Did you see the news about the politician?
- BeatrizSim, é um escândalo vergonhoso.Yes, it is a disgraceful scandal.
- FelipeEu não acredito que isso aconteceu.I can't believe that happened.
- BeatrizInfelizmente, isso é muito comum hoje em dia.Unfortunately, this is very common nowadays.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “disgraceful” translations and entries vergonhoso, infame, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries infame, vergonhoso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
