vergüenza
/beɾˈɡwenθa/
The English word shame is translated into Spanish as vergüenza.
Vergüenza is a noun referring to an uncomfortable or painful feeling. You can use the adjective vergonzoso to describe something that is shameful or embarrassing. If you want to say you are ashamed, use the phrase estar avergonzado/a. To describe the physical act of blushing, you can use the phrase ponerse colorado/a, which literally means to turn red.
Meaning: uncomfortable or painful feeling (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, the word pena is often used instead of vergüenza to express embarrassment or shame.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/beɾˈɡwenθa/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be aware that tener vergüenza has a dual meaning. It can mean feeling shame for an action, but it can also describe a person who is naturally shy or bashful.
Did you know?
- The word vergüenza is actually a distant relative of the English word 'second', as both descend from the same root meaning to follow or observe.
- A person who is described as sinvergüenza is not just someone without shame, but is often used as a colloquial term for a rogue, a rascal or a liar.
- The word vergüenza contains a spelling oddity with the 'ü', which tells the reader they must pronounce the 'u' sound, unlike in many other Spanish words.
Examples in context
- Ella no tiene vergüenza.She has no shame.This sentence shows how to state that someone lacks shame using vergüenza.Tatoeba #1877260 by hayastan, translation #1877252 by Spamster
- Él se sonrojó de vergüenza.He blushed with shame.This sentence describes the physical reaction of blushing due to vergüenza.Tatoeba #1267022 by marcelostockle, translation #301472 by CH
- Intentaba ocultar su vergüenza.He tried to hide his shame.This sentence describes the attempt to hide one's feeling of vergüenza.Tatoeba #4851679 by SemperAutumnus, translation #4870702 by zvzuibqx
- Tengo mucha vergüenza por llegar tarde a la reunión.I feel ashamed for being late to the meeting.
- Siento mucha vergüenza por mis acciones pasadas.I feel a lot of shame for my past actions.
- Estoy avergonzada de no aprobar el examen después de tanto estudiar.I'm ashamed of not passing the exam after studying so much.
- Me da mucha pena que no hayas podido venir a la fiesta.I feel really sorry that you couldn't come to the party.
- Me da vergüenza ajena ver cómo actúa esa persona.I'm embarrassed to see how that person behaves.
- Me puse colorada cuando me di cuenta del error que cometí.I turned red when I realized the mistake I made.
- Me da pena haber olvidado su cumpleaños.I am ashamed to have forgotten their birthday.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are talking about a mistake Javier made at work.
- Elena¿Por qué estás tan callado, Javier?Why are you so quiet, Javier?
- JavierTengo mucha vergüenza por lo que pasó.I feel a lot of shame for what happened.
- ElenaNo sientas vergüenza, todos cometemos errores.Don't feel shame, we all make mistakes.
- JavierGracias, Elena, lo intentaré.Thanks, Elena, I will try.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry vergüenza, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vergüenza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
