socialmente torpe
/soθjalmente toɾpe/from spelling rules
The English phrase "socially awkward" is translated into Spanish as socialmente torpe.
This phrase describes a person who lacks the skills to behave comfortably or naturally in social situations.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression is composed of the adverb socialmente (socially) and the adjective torpe (clumsy or awkward).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective torpe is gender-neutral, meaning the phrase remains socialmente torpe whether you are referring to a man or a woman. To make the phrase plural, you only change the adjective to socialmente torpes to match the subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/soθjalmente toɾpe/
Did you know?
- The English word 'turpitude', meaning wickedness, is a direct linguistic relative of the Spanish torpe.
- Spanish speakers often use the phrase no tener tacto (to have no touch) to describe someone who is socially awkward in a tactless way.
- A person described as torpe might be called un patoso in informal Spanish, which literally relates to the word for 'feet'.
Examples in context
- María siempre se siente torpe en sociedad, le falta confianza al interactuar con personas nuevas.Maria always feels socially awkward, she lacks confidence when interacting with new people.
- Roberto tiene dificultades para relacionarse y a menudo se siente incómodo en reuniones sociales.Roberto has difficulties in social interactions and often feels uncomfortable in social gatherings.
- Javier es un poco raro. Siempre se le ve incómodo en fiestas y reuniones.Javier is a bit socially awkward, he always looks uncomfortable at parties and gatherings.
- Mariana es bastante tímida y se siente incómoda en ocasiones sociales.Mariana is quite shy and feels uncomfortable in social situations.
- Él es un poco socialmente torpe en las fiestas.He is a bit socially awkward at parties.
- Él es un poco socialmente torpe.He is a bit socially awkward.
- Me siento socialmente torpe en las fiestas.I feel socially awkward at parties.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are talking about a new coworker.
- Mateo¿Por qué no habla con nadie?Why doesn't he talk to anyone?
- LucíaCreo que es socialmente torpe.I think he is socially awkward.
- MateoEs una lástima, parece buena persona.It's a shame, he seems like a good person.
- LucíaSí, solo necesita confianza.Yes, he just needs confidence.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries socialmente, torpe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
