sem-vergonha
/ˌsẽj̃.veʁˈɡõ.ɲɐ/
The Portuguese word for shameless is sem-vergonha.
sem-vergonha is used both as an adjective to describe someone having no shame and as a noun to call someone a 'scoundrel' or a 'rascal'.
Meaning: having no shame (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a compound of sem, meaning 'without' and vergonha, meaning 'shame'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using sem-vergonha as a direct insult is common in informal, colloquial speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, the equivalent of shameless can be descarado.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a noun to describe people, the word can be pluralized as sem-vergonhas.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable. The IPA is /ˌsẽj̃.veʁˈɡõ.ɲɐ/.
Did you know?
- In much of Portugal, a person who is truly shameless and lacks all social decorum is often referred to as someone having 'cara de pau', which literally translates to 'face of wood'.
- In certain Brazilian contexts, calling a person a sem-vergonha can be used as a euphemism for someone who is sexually promiscuous or 'easy'.
- In Brazilian Portuguese, sem-vergonha is frequently used in the context of flirting to describe someone who is boldly provocative.
Examples in context
- Você é um sem-vergonha! Por que engana a sua esposa dessa maneira?You're so shameless! Why do you cheat your wife like this?This sentence shows how to use sem-vergonha to call someone a scoundrel.Tatoeba #1390833 by alexmarcelo, translation #12569467 by laetitiamg
- Aquele político é muito cara de pau.That politician is very shameless.
- Ela ficou olhando pelo buraco da fechadura! Que cara de pau!She was looking through the keyhole! What a cheeky girl!
- Aquele rapaz é mesmo descarado!That guy is really shameless!
- Aquele homem é um sem-vergonha.That man is shameless.
- Não seja um sem-vergonha com seus amigos.Don't be shameless with your friends.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a person who lied to get a favor.
- RodrigoO Pedro mentiu para conseguir o dinheiro?Did Pedro lie to get the money?
- BeatrizSim, ele é um sem-vergonha.Yes, he is shameless.
- RodrigoEu não acredito que ele fez isso.I can't believe he did that.
- BeatrizEle não tem um pingo de vergonha.He doesn't have a shred of shame.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sem-vergonha, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
