Astuces
Basic Meaning of 'schämen'
The verb "schämen" fundamentally means to feel embarrassed or to be ashamed. It's a reflexive verb, so you'll almost always see it with a reflexive pronoun like "sich".
Conjugation of 'schämen'
Remember the conjugation: ich schäme mich, du schämst dich, er/sie/es schämt sich, wir schämen uns, ihr schämt euch, sie/Sie schämen sich. Pay close attention to the reflexive pronoun changing with the subject.
Common Preposition with 'schämen'
When you want to say what you are ashamed of, use the preposition "wegen" (+ genitive) or "für" (+ accusative). For example, "Ich schäme mich wegen meines Fehlers" (I am ashamed because of my mistake) or "Er schämt sich für sein Verhalten" (He is ashamed of his behavior).
Expressing 'to be ashamed of'
To say to be ashamed of something or someone, you can use "sich schämen für + Akkusativ". Example: "Sie schämt sich für ihre Unhöflichkeit." (She is ashamed of her rudeness.)
Contextual Nuances
"Schämen" can range from a light embarrassment to deep shame. The context usually makes it clear. Think of the difference between being a little embarrassed about spilling coffee and being deeply ashamed of a past action.
Related Noun: 'die Scham'
The related noun is "die Scham" (shame or modesty). While "schämen" is an action, "die Scham" is the feeling itself. "Er empfindet Scham" (He feels shame).
Idiom: 'sich in Grund und Boden schämen'
A common idiom is "sich in Grund und Boden schämen" which means to be terribly ashamed or to wish the ground would swallow you whole. It expresses a very strong feeling of shame.
Don't confuse with 'peinlich'
While related, "schämen" describes the feeling. "Peinlich" (embarrassing) describes the situation or thing that causes embarrassment. "Das ist mir peinlich" (That's embarrassing for me) but "Ich schäme mich dafür" (I am ashamed of it).
Example Sentence 1
Manchmal schäme ich mich für meine Fehler. (Sometimes I am ashamed of my mistakes.)
Example Sentence 2
Er schämte sich, als er den Witz erzählte. (He felt embarrassed when he told the joke.)
Teste-toi 12 questions
The speaker is talking about someone feeling embarrassed.
Listen for whether 'schämen' is used in a positive or negative context.
The sentence discusses a common human emotion.
Read this aloud:
Ich schäme mich für meinen Fehler.
Focus: schäme, Fehler
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Schämst du dich wirklich dafür, was passiert ist?
Focus: Schämst, wirklich
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Sie schämen sich, weil sie zu spät gekommen sind.
Focus: schämen, zu spät
Tu as dit :
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This sentence means 'You shouldn't be ashamed of your words.' The reflexive pronoun 'dich' comes after the modal verb 'solltest' and before the prepositional phrase 'für deine Worte.' The main verb 'schämen' goes at the end.
This sentence means 'He was deeply ashamed of his behavior.' The reflexive pronoun 'sich' follows the conjugated verb 'schämte'. The adverb 'zutiefst' (deeply) precedes the genitive object 'seines Verhaltens'.
This sentence means 'I would be ashamed if I were in your shoes.' The conjugated auxiliary verb 'würde' is followed by the subject 'ich' and then the reflexive pronoun 'mich'. The phrase 'an deiner Stelle' (in your place) comes before the infinitive 'schämen' at the end.
/ 12 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Meaning of 'schämen'
The verb "schämen" fundamentally means to feel embarrassed or to be ashamed. It's a reflexive verb, so you'll almost always see it with a reflexive pronoun like "sich".
Conjugation of 'schämen'
Remember the conjugation: ich schäme mich, du schämst dich, er/sie/es schämt sich, wir schämen uns, ihr schämt euch, sie/Sie schämen sich. Pay close attention to the reflexive pronoun changing with the subject.
Common Preposition with 'schämen'
When you want to say what you are ashamed of, use the preposition "wegen" (+ genitive) or "für" (+ accusative). For example, "Ich schäme mich wegen meines Fehlers" (I am ashamed because of my mistake) or "Er schämt sich für sein Verhalten" (He is ashamed of his behavior).
Expressing 'to be ashamed of'
To say to be ashamed of something or someone, you can use "sich schämen für + Akkusativ". Example: "Sie schämt sich für ihre Unhöflichkeit." (She is ashamed of her rudeness.)
Contenu associé
Expressions liées
Plus de mots sur emotions
abgeneigt
B1Ne pas aimer quelque chose ou vouloir l'éviter.
ablehnend
B1Ça montre que tu n'approuves pas quelque chose ou quelqu'un, comme si tu le repoussais.
abneigen
B1C'est quand tu ressens du dégoût ou de l'antipathie pour quelqu'un ou quelque chose.
Abneigung
B1C'est un sentiment de déplaisir envers quelqu'un ou quelque chose, menant souvent à l'évitement.
Abscheu
B1C'est un très fort sentiment de dégoût ou d'aversion.
abscheuen
B1Détester quelque chose ou quelqu'un très fort, avec un profond dégoût.
Ach!
A1Tu dis ça quand tu es surpris ou que tu comprends soudainement quelque chose.
ach
A2Une petite exclamation pour exprimer la surprise ou le soulagement.
akzeptierend
B1accepting
Albtraum
A2C'est un très mauvais rêve qui fait peur pendant le sommeil.
