Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| embarazoso | /embaɾaˈθoso/ /embaɾaˈsoso/ |
colloquial |
| abochornante | /abot͡ʃoɾˈnante/ | |
| sonrojante | /sonroˈxante/ |
All these terms describe something that causes embarrassment. Use vergonzoso/a to describe situations that are deeply embarrassing or shameful, and penoso/a when the embarrassment feels distressing or regrettable.
Which one should you use?
The intensity and meaning of these words vary. Embarazoso is a general term for causing embarrassment, whereas abochornante is a stronger term that implies a sense of shame or a situation that makes one blush intensely. Sonrojante is another option for causing embarrassment. Additionally, note the distinction between the cause and the feeling: embarazoso means "embarrassing" (the situation), while avergonzado is used to describe a person who feels "embarrassed".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Embarazoso is considered a colloquial term.
How do you pronounce it?
/embaɾaˈθoso/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse embarazada with "embarrassed". In Spanish, embarazada actually means "pregnant".
Did you know?
- The term embarazoso shares a deep ancestral root with the Akkadian word markasu, traveling through Arabic and Old Galician-Portuguese before entering Spanish.
- The word vergonzoso can be a double-edged sword. While it can mean 'embarrassing', it is also the standard word for 'shy'.
- The word abochornante is derived from bochorno, which refers to an oppressive, humid heat. It describes an embarrassment so strong it feels like a hot flash.
Examples in context
- Algo embarazoso pasó la semana pasada.Something embarrassing happened last week.This sentence shows how to use embarazoso to describe an event.Tatoeba #2291249 by wallebot, translation #2064956 by CK
- Es muy embarazoso.It's really embarrassing.Tatoeba #1793669 by Shishir, translation #1542672 by Spamster
- Chico, es embarazoso.Oh boy, that's embarrassing.This sentence uses embarazoso in an exclamation.Tatoeba #1641846 by Shishir, translation #1639203 by Spamster
- Me resulta vergonzoso admitirlo, pero llegué tarde a la reuniónIt's embarrassing for me to admit it, but I arrived late to the meeting
- Fue penoso olvidar el nombre de alguien tan importanteIt was embarrassing to forget the name of someone so important
- Fue una situación bochornosa cuando se cayó delante de todosIt was an embarrassing situation when he/she fell in front of everyone
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are talking about a mistake at a party.
- SofíaFue un momento muy embarazoso para mí.It was a very embarrassing moment for me.
- MateoNo te preocupes, nadie se dio cuenta.Don't worry, nobody noticed.
- SofíaPero fue muy embarazoso delante de todos.But it was very embarrassing in front of everyone.
- MateoEstás exagerando, Sofía.You are exaggerating, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “embarrassing” translations and entries embarazoso, abochornante, sonrojante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abochornante, embarazoso, sonrojante, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
