gêné
/ʒɛ.ne/
The English word 'embarrassed' is translated into French as gêné.
The word gêné is used to describe having a feeling of shameful discomfort. It is also the standard way to say someone feels 'awkward' or 'uncomfortable' in a social situation. Other ways to express related feelings include mal à l'aise for discomfort or unease, confus(e) for confusion or awkwardness and mortifié(e) for a much more profound sense of shame or being mortified. To describe the physical reaction of being 'red with shame,' you can use the expression rouge de honte.
Meaning: Having a feeling of shameful discomfort (adj)
Which one should you use?
While gêné focuses on a sense of embarrassment or social awkwardness, embêté(e) is a colloquial term that can also mean being 'annoyed' or 'bothered.'
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, gêné must agree in gender and number with the person feeling the embarrassment. Use gênée for a female subject, gênés for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and gênées for a group consisting only of women.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ʒɛ.ne/ and consists of two syllables.
Did you know?
- In French, the phrase être gêné can also mean to be short of money or in a tight financial spot.
- Avoid using the word 'embarrassé' to express shame. Although it looks like the English word, it is a 'faux ami' that actually means 'obstructed' or 'hindered', such as a traffic jam or a blocked airway.
- When a French person says they are confus, they are often apologizing for a social blunder rather than saying they are mentally perplexed.
Examples in context
- Tom a l'air gêné.Tom looks embarrassed.This sentence shows how to describe someone's appearance as looking embarrassed using gêné.Tatoeba #9405540 by Micsmithel, translation #2237242 by CK
- N'es-tu pas gêné ?Aren't you embarrassed?This sentence uses gêné to ask a direct question about someone's embarrassment.Tatoeba #1462583 by sacredceltic, translation #1461910 by CK
- J'étais un peu gênée.I was a bit embarrassed.This sentence demonstrates the feminine form gênée used in the past tense.Tatoeba #7089201 by Aiji, translation #2006568 by Spamster
- Je suis gêné(e), je ne sais pas quoi direI am embarrassed, I don't know what to say
- Je me suis senti(e) complètement mortifié(e) après avoir trébuché en publicI felt completely mortified after tripping in public
- Je me sens mal à l'aise en présence de personnes inconnuesI feel embarrassed in the presence of unknown people
- J'étais rouge de honte lorsque j'ai oublié le nom de mon professeurI was red with shame when I forgot my teacher's name
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel accidentally spilled water on the table.
- GabrielDésolé, je suis vraiment gêné.Sorry, I am really embarrassed.
- ManonCe n'est pas grave, Gabriel.It is not a problem, Gabriel.
- GabrielJe me sens stupide maintenant.I feel stupid now.
- ManonNe sois pas gêné, ça arrive.Don't be embarrassed, it happens.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gêné, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
