imbarazzato
/im.ba.ratˈt͡sa.to/
The Italian word for embarrassed is imbarazzato.
The word is an adjective used to describe a person experiencing a feeling of shameful discomfort.
Meaning: Having a feeling of shameful discomfort (adj)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the person and the cause: use imbarazzato to describe how a person feels, but use imbarazzante to describe the situation or thing that causes the feeling.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person or people feeling the embarrassment. Use imbarazzata for a female, imbarazzati for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and imbarazzate for a group of women.
How do you pronounce it?
/im.ba.ratˈtsa.to/ (5 syllables). The stress is on the 4th syllable.
Did you know?
- The word imbarazzato shares a distant linguistic root with the English word 'embarrass', which entered English via French from an Italian source.
- While imbarazzato refers to a feeling of shame, the verb imbarazzare can also mean to obstruct or block a path, similar to the English word 'barricade'.
- To describe the physical act of blushing when imbarazzato, Italians use the phrase arrossire, which literally means 'to redden'.
Examples in context
- Tom si è imbarazzato.Tom got embarrassed.This sentence shows how to use imbarazzato to describe someone who became embarrassed.Tatoeba #5377980 by Guybrush88, translation #2236320 by CK
- Io ti ho imbarazzato?Have I embarrassed you?This sentence uses imbarazzato to ask if someone has caused embarrassment to another person.Tatoeba #13546347 by Guybrush88, translation #3818102 by CK
- Ero un po' imbarazzato.I was a bit embarrassed.This sentence shows how to use imbarazzato to describe a past state of being slightly embarrassed.Tatoeba #2594521 by Guybrush88, translation #2006568 by Spamster
- Mi sono sentito/a molto imbarazzato/a quando ho fatto quell'errore durante la presentazione.I felt very embarrassed when I made that mistake during the presentation.
- Sono rimasto/a in imbarazzo quando tutti mi hanno guardato dopo la mia battuta involontariamente offensiva.I felt embarrassed when everyone looked at me after my unintentionally offensive joke.
- Mi sento un po' impacciato/a a parlare italiano, ma sto provando a migliorare.I feel a bit awkward speaking Italian, but I'm trying to improve.
- Mi vergogno ogni volta che mi ricordo di quel momento imbarazzante.I feel embarrassed every time I remember that awkward moment.
- 148 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara tells Matteo about a mistake she made at work.
- ChiaraHo detto la cosa sbagliata e mi sono sentita imbarazzato.I said the wrong thing and I felt embarrassed.
- MatteoNon preoccuparti, nessuno ci ha fatto caso.Don't worry, nobody noticed.
- ChiaraEro proprio imbarazzato davanti a tutto il capo.I was really embarrassed in front of the boss.
- MatteoSuccede a tutti, Chiara, stai tranquilla.It happens to everyone, Chiara, stay calm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “embarrassed” translations and entries imbarazzato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries imbarazzato, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
