Which one should you use?
While avergonzado is a formal adjective, in many Spanish-speaking regions people often use the noun pena to express embarrassment or shyness, such as in the phrase me da pena. Additionally, if you want to describe the physical act of blushing or the face reddening due to embarrassment, you might use sonrojado/a.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the expression ponerse rojo/a is commonly used to mean turning red because of embarrassment.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, avergonzado must agree in gender and number with the person or group being described. Use avergonzada for a female, avergonzado for a male and avergonzados when referring to a group of men or a mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
/abeɾɡonˈθado/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the word embarazado to mean embarrassed. In Spanish, embarazado actually means pregnant.
Did you know?
- The phrase dar vergüenza can be used to describe something that is 'cringe-worthy'. For example, a poorly performed song might dar vergüenza ajena, which translates to 'feeling someone else's shame'.
- The word pena used for embarrassment can also mean 'sorrow' or 'grief' depending on the context. In some regions it even refers to a legal penalty or fine.
- While avergonzado is the most direct translation, using it can sound quite heavy or serious, as if one has committed a true moral sin. For minor social awkwardness, pena or vergüenza are much more natural.
Examples in context
- Me siento muy avergonzado.I feel so embarrassed.This sentence is useful for expressing the intensity of your own embarrassment using avergonzado.Tatoeba #5058748 by don_ramon, translation #1648993 by Spamster
- Se te ve algo avergonzado.You look a little embarrassed.This sentence is useful for describing how someone else appears to be feeling using avergonzado.Tatoeba #6789215 by arh, translation #6788811 by CK
- Se notaba que estaba avergonzado.He was clearly embarrassed.This sentence is useful for noting that someone's embarrassment was observable using avergonzado.Tatoeba #3127463 by wallebot, translation #304066 by CK
- Ella se sintió avergonzada por su error.She felt embarrassed by her mistake.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are talking about a mistake Elena made at work.
- ElenaMe sentí muy avergonzado frente a mi jefe.I felt very embarrassed in front of my boss.
- JavierNo te preocupes, Elena, nadie lo notó.Don't worry, Elena, nobody noticed.
- ElenaAun así, sigo un poco avergonzado por el error.Even so, I am still a bit embarrassed by the mistake.
- JavierTodos cometemos errores a veces, Javier.Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “embarrassed” translations and entries avergonzado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
