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A1 adjective #7,000 mais comum 10 min de leitura

avergonzado

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas avergonzado em 30 segundos

Explicação avergonzado in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'avergonzado' is one of the first emotion words you learn to describe social discomfort. It is used in very simple sentences, typically with the verb 'estar'. At this stage, you focus on the basic meaning: 'embarrassed'. You learn to match the word with the gender of the subject (avergonzado for boys, avergonzada for girls). For example, 'Yo estoy avergonzado'. It is a useful word for basic social interactions where you might make a mistake, like using the wrong word in Spanish class. You don't need to worry about complex prepositions yet; just knowing how to say 'I am embarrassed' is a great start. It helps you express a common human feeling and connect with others by showing humility. Remember the false friend: 'embarazada' is NOT 'embarrassed'.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'avergonzado' in more descriptive contexts, often adding the reason for the feeling using 'por' or 'de'. You might say, 'Estoy avergonzado por mi perro' (I am embarrassed by my dog). You also start using it in the past tense, like 'Estuve avergonzado ayer' (I was embarrassed yesterday). At this level, you understand that it covers both 'embarrassed' and 'ashamed'. You can also distinguish between 'estar avergonzado' (the state) and 'sentirse avergonzado' (the feeling). You might also encounter the noun 'vergüenza' in phrases like 'Tengo vergüenza' (I am shy/embarrassed). Your goal is to use the word to provide more detail about your daily life and past experiences.

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At the B1 level, you use 'avergonzado' with more complex grammatical structures, such as the subjunctive. For example, 'Me siento avergonzado de que mi amigo se porte así' (I feel ashamed that my friend behaves like that). You also start to use reflexive verbs like 'avergonzarse' (to feel ashamed). Instead of just saying 'Estoy avergonzado', you might say 'Me avergüenzo de mis errores'. You learn to use intensifiers like 'sumamente' or 'bastante' to modify the degree of the emotion. At this stage, you are expected to handle social situations where you need to apologize or explain why you feel a certain way. You also begin to recognize regional variations, such as how 'apenado' might be used similarly in some countries.

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At the B2 level, you can use 'avergonzado' to discuss abstract concepts and social issues. You might talk about being 'avergonzado' by the actions of a government or a social trend. You understand the nuances between 'avergonzado', 'abochornado', and 'humillado'. You can use the word in formal writing, such as an essay about ethics or a formal letter of apology. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use synonyms to avoid repetition. You also understand idiomatic expressions related to shame, like 'sentir vergüenza ajena' (to feel embarrassed on behalf of someone else). You are comfortable using the word in various tenses, including the conditional and the perfect tenses, to hypothesize about feelings.

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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the emotional weight 'avergonzado' carries in different cultural contexts. You can use it in literary analysis to describe a character's internal journey. You are aware of the word's etymology and how it relates to concepts of honor and social standing in Spanish history. You can use it with high-level adverbs like 'irremediablemente' or 'profundamente'. You also understand the subtle difference between 'avergonzado' and 'púdico' or 'recatado'. In debates, you can use the term to express strong moral stances. Your use of the word is seamless, and you can switch between formal and informal synonyms (like 'cortado') depending on the audience without hesitation.

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At the C2 level, 'avergonzado' is just one tool in a vast arsenal of emotional descriptors. You can use it to explore philosophical questions about the nature of shame and its role in society. You might write or speak about the 'sujeto avergonzado' in psychological terms. You have total command over the word's placement in complex, multi-clause sentences and can use it for stylistic effect, such as in irony or sarcasm. You understand the historical evolution of the word from Latin and how its meaning has shifted over centuries. You can interpret the use of 'avergonzado' in classical Spanish literature (like the Golden Age) versus modern usage. Your mastery allows you to express the most subtle gradations of this emotion with perfect precision.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

avergonzado em 30 segundos

Avergonzado means embarrassed or ashamed in Spanish, used with the verb estar.
It is an adjective that must change to avergonzada for females and pluralize for groups.
It covers both minor social slips and deeper moral regrets, making it very versatile.
Commonly confused with 'embarazada' (pregnant), so learners must be careful with the distinction.

The word avergonzado is a cornerstone of emotional expression in Spanish, primarily used to describe the feeling of embarrassment or shame. At its core, it stems from the noun vergüenza (shame/embarrassment). Unlike English, which often distinguishes sharply between 'embarrassed' (social awkwardness) and 'ashamed' (moral failing), avergonzado comfortably covers both territories depending on the context. Whether you tripped in public or you regret a serious mistake, this is the adjective you will reach for. It is an adjective that must agree in gender and number with the person feeling the emotion: avergonzado (masculine singular), avergonzada (feminine singular), avergonzados (masculine plural), and avergonzadas (feminine plural).

Social Context: Used when someone makes a minor social gaffe, like forgetting a name or spilling a drink. In these cases, it aligns with 'embarrassed'.

Juan se sintió muy avergonzado cuando se dio cuenta de que tenía la camisa al revés.

Moral Context: Used when reflecting on an action that violates one's personal ethics or social norms. Here, it translates more closely to 'ashamed'.

Ella está avergonzada por haberle mentido a sus padres sobre sus notas.

In everyday conversation, you will hear this word frequently in movies, books, and daily interactions. It is not considered overly formal, but it is certainly more descriptive than simply saying 'mal'. It allows the speaker to convey a specific type of discomfort that involves the perception of others. Interestingly, Spanish speakers also use the phrase dar vergüenza to describe situations that cause this feeling. For example, 'Me da vergüenza cantar en público' (It makes me feel embarrassed to sing in public). However, when describing the person's internal state directly, avergonzado is the standard choice.

Los niños estaban avergonzados después de romper el cristal de la ventana.

Professional Usage: In a workplace, an employee might feel avergonzado for a late report or a presentation error. It signifies a level of professional accountability.

El gerente se mostró avergonzado por el error técnico durante la reunión.

¿Por qué estás tan avergonzada? Solo fue un pequeño error sin importancia.

Using avergonzado correctly requires attention to two main things: the verb that precedes it and the preposition that follows it. As an adjective describing a state, it almost always pairs with estar (to be) or sentirse (to feel). Using ser would imply that being embarrassed is an inherent part of your identity, which sounds unnatural. Furthermore, when you want to specify the cause of the embarrassment, you typically use the preposition de (of/about) or por (for/because of).

With 'Estar': This is the most common construction. It describes the current state of the subject.

Estoy muy avergonzado de mi comportamiento de anoche.

With 'Sentirse': This emphasizes the internal feeling of the person rather than just the state.

Se siente avergonzada por no haber estudiado lo suficiente.

When the cause of embarrassment is an action, the preposition de is followed by an infinitive verb. For example: 'Está avergonzado de pedir dinero' (He is ashamed of asking for money). If the cause is another person's action, you would use 'que' followed by the subjunctive: 'Estoy avergonzado de que hayan hecho eso' (I am ashamed that they have done that). This nuance is vital for intermediate and advanced learners. For beginners, sticking to the 'estar + avergonzado' structure is the safest and most effective way to be understood.

Nosotros estamos avergonzados por los resultados del equipo.

Gender Agreement: Remember to change the ending to -a if the subject is female.

Mi hermana se puso avergonzada cuando todos la miraron.

¿Estás avergonzado de lo que dijiste?

Another frequent pattern involves intensifiers like muy (very), un poco (a little), or profundamente (deeply). These help specify the intensity of the emotion. For instance, 'profundamente avergonzado' is often used in formal apologies or public statements. In casual speech, people might say 'estoy muerto de vergüenza' (I'm dying of shame), but 'estoy muy avergonzado' remains the most versatile and universally understood way to express this feeling across all Spanish-speaking regions.

You will encounter avergonzado in a vast array of real-life situations. In Spanish-speaking cultures, where social cohesion and 'saving face' can be culturally significant, expressing embarrassment is a common way to show humility or to acknowledge a social error. You'll hear it in the news when public figures apologize for scandals, in telenovelas during dramatic confrontations, and in everyday family life when a child is caught doing something they shouldn't have. It is a word that bridges the gap between formal and informal registers.

In the News: Used to report on public figures expressing regret.

El político dijo estar avergonzado por las acusaciones de corrupción.

In Family Life: Parents often use it to teach children about consequences and empathy.

Deberías estar avergonzado de haberle gritado a tu abuela.

In pop culture, specifically music and cinema, avergonzado appears in lyrics about heartbreak or regret. For instance, a singer might express being 'avergonzado' for not treating a lover better. In movies, it’s often used in comedic scenes where a character does something silly. The versatility of the word means it doesn't always carry a heavy, dark weight; it can be lighthearted. If a friend tells a joke that fails, they might say '¡Qué avergonzado estoy!' with a laugh. This cultural flexibility is what makes it such an essential part of the Spanish vocabulary.

Me sentí muy avergonzado cuando mi teléfono sonó en el cine.

In Literature: Authors use it to describe the internal conflict of characters who have betrayed their own values.

El protagonista caminaba con la cabeza baja, avergonzado de su pasado.

No estés avergonzado; todos cometemos errores a veces.

Finally, you’ll hear it in sports. When a team loses by a large margin, players or coaches often tell the media they are 'avergonzados' by the performance. This shows how the word is used to express a collective sense of failed expectations. Whether it's a personal slip-up or a national disgrace, avergonzado is the linguistic tool used to acknowledge that a standard has not been met and that the subject is aware of the social or moral implications of that failure.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when trying to say they are 'embarrassed' is using the word embarazada. This is a classic 'false friend'. In Spanish, embarazada means 'pregnant'. Telling someone 'Estoy muy embarazada' when you mean 'I am very embarrassed' will lead to a very confusing (and perhaps even more embarrassing) conversation! Always remember: avergonzado for embarrassment, embarazada for babies.

The 'Ser' vs 'Estar' Trap: Using ser with avergonzado is a common grammatical error. Emotions and temporary states require estar.

Incorrecto: Yo soy avergonzado. Correcto: Yo estoy avergonzado.

Gender Agreement Errors: Since it's an adjective, it must match the person. A woman must say 'estoy avergonzada'.

Ella se siente avergonzada (not avergonzado).

Another mistake involves the preposition. English speakers often want to say 'avergonzado con' because we say 'embarrassed with' or 'ashamed with' in some contexts. However, in Spanish, the standard prepositions are de or por. For example, 'avergonzado de mi error' or 'avergonzado por lo que pasó'. Using 'con' is generally incorrect unless you are referring to being embarrassed in front of someone (e.g., 'avergonzado con mi jefe'), but even then, 'ante' or 'delante de' is often clearer.

Estoy avergonzado de mi falta de atención.

Confusing with 'Vergonzoso': Vergonzoso usually describes a situation or a person who is habitually shy. Avergonzado is how you feel in the moment.

Es una situación vergonzosa, por eso estoy avergonzado.

No te sientas avergonzado por preguntar.

Finally, avoid overusing avergonzado for very minor things where 'lo siento' (I'm sorry) or 'qué pena' (what a pity/how embarrassing) would suffice. While not 'wrong', using a full adjective like 'estoy avergonzado' for a tiny typo might seem a bit dramatic. Reserve it for times when you truly feel the weight of the embarrassment or shame. Understanding these subtle social cues will make your Spanish sound much more natural and native-like.

While avergonzado is the most common term, Spanish offers several synonyms and related words that can help you express different shades of embarrassment or shame. Choosing the right one depends on the intensity of the feeling and the regional dialect. For example, in many parts of Latin America, apenado is used frequently for light embarrassment, whereas in Spain, it might mean 'sad' or 'grieved'. Knowing these distinctions will significantly improve your fluency and ability to express complex emotions.

Avergonzado vs. Apenado: Avergonzado is stronger and implies shame. Apenado is often softer, like feeling 'sorry' or 'shy' about a situation.

Me siento apenado por llegar tarde (I feel a bit bad/embarrassed about being late).

Avergonzado vs. Abochornado: Abochornado specifically refers to the physical sensation of embarrassment, like having a flushed or hot face.

Salió abochornado de la sala tras el abucheo (He left the room flushed with shame after the booing).

Another interesting alternative is humillado (humiliated). This is much stronger than avergonzado and implies that the person's dignity has been attacked, often by someone else. While you might be avergonzado of your own mistake, you feel humillado if someone mocks you for it in public. On the lighter side, we have cortado, which is informal slang in Spain for being 'tongue-tied' or 'shy' in a specific social moment. For instance, 'Me quedé cortado cuando me pidió bailar' (I got shy/embarrassed when they asked me to dance).

Se siente humillado por el trato que recibió en el trabajo.

Avergonzado vs. Confuso: Sometimes embarrassment leads to confusion. While related, confuso means 'confused' or 'disoriented'.

Estaba avergonzado y un poco confuso tras el accidente.

No te quedes cortado, ¡di lo que piensas!

Lastly, consider the word púdico. This is a more literary or formal term for someone who is modest or easily embarrassed by matters of privacy or nudity. While you wouldn't use it to describe feeling embarrassed about a math error, you might use it to describe someone's reserved character. By expanding your vocabulary to include these alternatives, you'll be able to describe the human experience of 'vergüenza' with much greater precision and cultural sensitivity.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The 'ü' in 'vergüenza' is a dieresis, which tells you to pronounce the 'u'. In 'avergonzado', the 'u' disappears entirely because the vowel sound changes based on the stress pattern in the verb 'avergonzar'.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /avɛɾɣonˈθaðo/

US /avɛɾɣonˈsaðo/

The stress is on the second to last syllable: a-ver-gon-ZA-do.

Rima com

cansado hablado estado pasado pesado helado dorado limpiado

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'v' like an English 'v' (it should be more like a 'b').
Over-pronouncing the final 'o' (it should be short).
Forgetting to soften the 'g' (it is a soft fricative between vowels).
Pronouncing the 'z' as 'z' in 'zebra' (Spanish doesn't have that sound).
Stress on the wrong syllable (e.g., a-VER-gon-za-do).

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts once you know 'vergüenza'.

Escrita 3/5

Requires remembering the 'z' and the gender agreement.

Expressão oral 3/5

Requires correct stress and avoiding the 'embarazada' false friend.

Audição 2/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in context.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

estar sentir mal bien persona

Aprenda a seguir

vergonzoso culpable arrepentido orgulloso tímido

Avançado

pudor oprobio deshonra bochorno abochornado

Gramática essencial

Adjective Agreement

La mujer está avergonzad**a**.

Estar vs Ser

Él **está** avergonzado (not es).

Preposition 'de'

Avergonzado **de** su acción.

Reflexive Verbs

Yo **me** avergüenzo.

Subjunctive with Emotions

Me avergüenza que **vayas** así.

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Exemplos por nível

Yo estoy avergonzado.

I am embarrassed.

Uses 'estar' for a temporary state.

Ella está avergonzada.

She is embarrassed.

Adjective agrees with the feminine subject.

No estés avergonzado.

Don't be embarrassed.

Imperative form of 'estar'.

El niño está avergonzado.

The boy is embarrassed.

Masculine singular agreement.

¿Estás avergonzado?

Are you embarrassed?

Question form.

Estamos avergonzados.

We are embarrassed.

Masculine plural agreement.

Ella se siente avergonzada.

She feels embarrassed.

Uses 'sentirse' to express the feeling.

Estoy un poco avergonzado.

I am a little embarrassed.

'Un poco' modifies the intensity.

Estoy avergonzado por mi error.

I am embarrassed because of my error.

'Por' indicates the cause.

Ella estuvo avergonzada ayer.

She was embarrassed yesterday.

Preterite tense of 'estar'.

Ellos están avergonzados de su perro.

They are embarrassed of their dog.

Plural agreement.

Me sentí avergonzado en la fiesta.

I felt embarrassed at the party.

Reflexive verb 'sentirse' in the past.

Juan está avergonzado de hablar español.

Juan is embarrassed to speak Spanish.

'De' followed by an infinitive.

Mis padres están avergonzados por el ruido.

My parents are embarrassed by the noise.

Plural agreement.

Ella se puso avergonzada cuando la miré.

She became embarrassed when I looked at her.

'Ponerse' indicates a change in state.

No deberías estar avergonzado de tu casa.

You shouldn't be embarrassed of your house.

Modal verb 'debería' with 'estar'.

Me avergüenzo de lo que hice.

I am ashamed of what I did.

Reflexive verb 'avergonzarse' in the present.

Espero que no estés avergonzado de nosotros.

I hope you are not ashamed of us.

Subjunctive after 'esperar que'.

Se siente avergonzado de que no lo invitaran.

He feels embarrassed that they didn't invite him.

Subjunctive after 'de que'.

Me sentía avergonzado mientras hablaba en público.

I was feeling embarrassed while speaking in public.

Imperfect tense for ongoing feeling.

Si yo fuera tú, estaría avergonzado.

If I were you, I would be ashamed.

Conditional tense.

Ella se ha sentido avergonzada toda la semana.

She has felt embarrassed all week.

Present perfect tense.

No te avergüences de pedir ayuda.

Don't be ashamed to ask for help.

Negative imperative of 'avergonzarse'.

Él está profundamente avergonzado por sus palabras.

He is deeply ashamed of his words.

Adverb 'profundamente' for emphasis.

El director se mostró avergonzado ante la prensa.

The director appeared ashamed before the press.

'Mostrarse' is a more formal way to say 'to appear/be'.

Habría estado avergonzado si hubiera perdido.

I would have been embarrassed if I had lost.

Conditional perfect and pluperfect subjunctive.

Muchos ciudadanos están avergonzados de su gobierno.

Many citizens are ashamed of their government.

Collective subject.

Es vergonzoso que él no se sienta avergonzado.

It is shameful that he doesn't feel ashamed.

Contrast between 'vergonzoso' (adjective for the act) and 'avergonzado' (for the person).

Se marchó avergonzado, sin decir una palabra.

He left ashamed, without saying a word.

Adjective used as an adverbial complement.

Me avergüenza que todavía ocurran estas cosas.

It shames me that these things still happen.

Verb 'avergonzar' used like 'gustar'.

Estar avergonzado es una reacción humana natural.

Being ashamed is a natural human reaction.

Infinitive as a noun phrase.

A pesar de estar avergonzado, pidió perdón.

Despite being embarrassed, he asked for forgiveness.

'A pesar de' followed by the infinitive 'estar'.

El acusado permaneció cabizbajo y avergonzado.

The accused remained downcast and ashamed.

Literary adjective 'cabizbajo'.

Resulta difícil no sentirse avergonzado ante tal injusticia.

It is difficult not to feel ashamed in the face of such injustice.

Formal construction with 'resulta'.

Su mirada avergonzada delataba su culpabilidad.

His ashamed gaze betrayed his guilt.

Adjective modifying 'mirada'.

Se siente irremediablemente avergonzado por su pasado.

He feels irremediably ashamed of his past.

Strong adverb 'irremediablemente'.

La nación entera se sintió avergonzada por el escándalo.

The entire nation felt ashamed by the scandal.

Metonymy: 'the nation' for 'the people'.

No hay por qué estar avergonzado de la propia cultura.

There is no reason to be ashamed of one's own culture.

Fixed expression 'no hay por qué'.

Él vive avergonzado de sus orígenes humildes.

He lives ashamed of his humble origins.

'Vivir' used as a linking verb.

Avergonzado de su propia sombra, se ocultó de todos.

Ashamed of his own shadow, he hid from everyone.

Metaphorical usage.

La ontología del ser avergonzado revela una fractura social.

The ontology of the ashamed being reveals a social fracture.

Philosophical/Academic register.

Se hallaba sumido en un estado de ánimo profundamente avergonzado.

He found himself plunged into a deeply ashamed state of mind.

High-level literary construction 'hallarse sumido en'.

Su discurso, aunque avergonzado, carecía de verdadera contrición.

His speech, though ashamed, lacked true contrition.

Concessive clause with 'aunque'.

Es un sentimiento avergonzado que trasciende lo individual.

It is an ashamed feeling that transcends the individual.

Abstract concept.

El autor retrata a un protagonista perpetuamente avergonzado.

The author portrays a perpetually ashamed protagonist.

Literary criticism vocabulary.

Bajo la máscara de soberbia, yacía un hombre avergonzado.

Under the mask of arrogance, lay an ashamed man.

Inverted sentence structure for poetic effect.

La dialéctica entre el orgullo y el estar avergonzado es compleja.

The dialectic between pride and being ashamed is complex.

Academic 'dialéctica'.

Quedó avergonzado ante la magnitud de su propia ignorancia.

He was left ashamed before the magnitude of his own ignorance.

Figurative usage.

Colocações comuns

estar avergonzado

sentirse avergonzado

profundamente avergonzado

avergonzado de

avergonzado por

un poco avergonzado

visiblemente avergonzado

avergonzado ante alguien

bastante avergonzado

morirse de avergonzado

Frases Comuns

No estés avergonzado.

— A phrase used to comfort someone who is feeling embarrassed. It encourages them to let go of the feeling.

No estés avergonzado, todos fallamos.

Estoy avergonzado de ti.

— A strong expression of disappointment in someone else's actions. It implies they have brought shame to the speaker.

Hijo, estoy avergonzado de ti hoy.

Me siento avergonzado por lo ocurrido.

— A standard way to apologize for a situation without taking full personal blame for the event itself.

Me siento avergonzado por lo ocurrido en la cena.

Parecía muy avergonzado.

— Used to describe someone else's visible emotional state. Useful in storytelling or reporting.

Él parecía muy avergonzado tras el error.

No tienes por qué estar avergonzado.

— Reassures someone that their actions were not actually shameful or embarrassing.

No tienes por qué estar avergonzado de llorar.

Salió avergonzado de la sala.

— Describes the manner in which someone left a place after a shameful event.

Salió avergonzado de la sala tras el grito.

Estoy avergonzado de mi español.

— A very common phrase for learners who feel their language skills are lacking.

Lo siento, estoy avergonzado de mi español.

¿Estás avergonzado de mí?

— A question asking if someone else feels shame because of the speaker's actions or identity.

Mamá, ¿estás avergonzado de mí?

Me puse avergonzado enseguida.

— Describes a sudden onset of embarrassment. Often used when someone is surprised.

Me puse avergonzado enseguida cuando me vio.

Estar avergonzado no sirve de nada.

— A pragmatic phrase suggesting that feeling shame won't solve the problem.

Estar avergonzado no sirve de nada, ¡arregla el error!

Frequentemente confundido com

avergonzado vs embarazada

Means pregnant. This is the most famous false friend for English speakers.

avergonzado vs vergonzoso

Describes a thing that causes shame (shameful) or a person who is habitually shy.

avergonzado vs apenado

Can mean 'sad' in Spain but 'embarrassed' in Mexico/Latin America.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Caérsele la cara de vergüenza"

— To be extremely ashamed or embarrassed, as if one's face could fall off.

Se le cayó la cara de vergüenza cuando lo pillaron.

Informal

"No tener vergüenza"

— To be shameless; to act without regard for social or moral norms.

Ese político no tiene vergüenza.

Neutral

"Sentir vergüenza ajena"

— To feel embarrassed on behalf of someone else's cringeworthy actions.

Siento vergüenza ajena cuando canta así.

Neutral

"Tragarse la vergüenza"

— To overcome one's embarrassment to do something necessary.

Se tragó la vergüenza y pidió el dinero.

Informal

"Muerto de vergüenza"

— Dying of embarrassment; used for extreme situations.

Estaba muerto de vergüenza en el escenario.

Informal

"Perder la vergüenza"

— To lose one's inhibitions or to stop caring about being embarrassed.

Después de tres copas, perdió la vergüenza.

Informal

"Ponerse rojo como un tomate"

— To turn red as a tomato due to embarrassment.

Se puso rojo como un tomate al verla.

Informal

"Sin vergüenza"

— Often used as a noun (un sinvergüenza) to describe a rascal or a scoundrel.

¡Eres un sinvergüenza!

Informal

"Pasar vergüenza"

— To go through an embarrassing situation.

No quiero pasar vergüenza delante de ellos.

Neutral

"Dar vergüenza"

— To cause embarrassment (used with indirect objects).

Me da vergüenza hablar en público.

Neutral

Fácil de confundir

avergonzado vs avergonzar

It's the verb form.

Avergonzado is the state (adjective), avergonzar is the action of making someone feel that way.

No me avergüences delante de mis amigos.

avergonzado vs vergüenza

It's the noun form.

Use 'tener vergüenza' for a general trait or 'sentir vergüenza' for the noun, 'avergonzado' is the adjective.

Siento mucha vergüenza.

avergonzado vs tímido

Both involve social discomfort.

Tímido is a personality trait (shy); avergonzado is a reaction to a specific event.

Soy tímido, pero hoy estoy avergonzado por mi error.

avergonzado vs humillado

Both are negative social feelings.

Humillado implies someone else hurt your pride; avergonzado can be self-inflicted.

Me sentí humillado por sus burlas.

avergonzado vs arrepentido

Both involve feeling bad about an action.

Arrepentido means 'sorry' or 'regretful'; avergonzado adds the element of social shame.

Estoy arrepentido de lo que hice y avergonzado de que lo sepas.

Padrões de frases

[Subject] + estar + avergonzado.

Juan está avergonzado.

[Subject] + estar + avergonzado + de + [Noun].

Estoy avergonzado de mi coche.

[Subject] + sentirse + avergonzado + por + [Infinitive].

Me siento avergonzado por mentir.

Es + [Adjective] + que + [Subject] + estar + avergonzado.

Es normal que estés avergonzado.

Avergonzado + por + [Noun], + [Subject] + [Verb].

Avergonzado por el ruido, el niño lloró.

No hay + [Noun] + que + no + estar + avergonzado.

No hay nadie que no esté avergonzado hoy.

Mixed

Quedar + avergonzado + ante + [Person].

Quedó avergonzado ante todos.

Mixed

Ponerse + avergonzado + cuando + [Clause].

Se puso avergonzada cuando la llamé.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

vergüenza (shame)

avergonzamiento (act of shaming)

Verbos

avergonzar (to shame/embarrass)

avergonzarse (to feel ashamed)

Adjetivos

avergonzado (ashamed)

vergonzoso (shameful)

vergonzante (shameful/humiliating)

Relacionado

pudor

timidez

humillación

pena

deshonor

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Como usar

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written Spanish.

Erros comuns

Estoy embarazada. → Estoy avergonzada.
You said you are pregnant instead of embarrassed.
Soy avergonzado. → Estoy avergonzado.
You used 'ser' for a temporary emotion.
Estoy avergonzado con mi error. → Estoy avergonzado de mi error.
Used the wrong preposition; 'de' or 'por' is standard.
Ellos están avergonzado. → Ellos están avergonzados.
Forgot to make the adjective plural to match the subject.
Me avergonzado mucho. → Me he avergonzado mucho / Estoy muy avergonzado.
Used the participle without an auxiliary verb or 'estar'.

Dicas

Gender Agreement

Always look at the person you are describing. If it's a woman, use 'avergonzada'. If it's a group of women, 'avergonzadas'.

The False Friend

Never use 'embarazada' to mean embarrassed. It means pregnant. This is a mistake every learner makes once!

Use 'Estar'

Emotions are temporary in Spanish grammar. Use 'estar' or 'sentirse', never 'ser'.

Add Intensifiers

Use 'muy', 'un poco', or 'bastante' to sound more like a native speaker when describing feelings.

Vergüenza Ajena

Learn the phrase 'vergüenza ajena'. It's a very common cultural concept in Spanish-speaking countries.

The Letter Z

Remember the 'z' in the middle. It comes from 'vergüenza'. Don't use an 's'!

Soft D

The 'd' in the '-ado' ending is very soft. Sometimes it sounds like it's barely there.

Formal Apologies

In a formal email, use 'Me siento profundamente avergonzado por...' to show sincere regret.

Intonation

Stress the 'ZA' syllable: a-ver-gon-ZA-do. This makes your Spanish sound much more natural.

Gone-Zado

Think: I'm so embarrassed, I want to be 'Gone-Zado' (gone from here)!

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'A Very Gone Zado'. When you are 'avergonzado', you want to be 'very gone' from the room because you are so embarrassed!

Associação visual

Imagine a person wearing a giant 'Z' on their chest (for 'zado') and their face is turning bright red like a tomato.

Word Web

vergüenza estar sentirse rojo error culpa social cara

Desafio

Try to use 'avergonzado' in a sentence today to describe a small mistake you made, even if it's just to yourself.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Spanish verb 'avergonzar', which comes from the noun 'vergüenza'. This noun originates from the Latin 'verecundia', meaning 'modesty', 'shame', or 'respect'.

Significado original: The root 'verecundia' is related to 'vereri', which means 'to fear' or 'to respect'. Thus, the original sense was a respectful fear of social judgment.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexto cultural

Be careful when telling someone they 'should be avergonzado'. In many Spanish-speaking cultures, this is a very strong moral rebuke.

English speakers often separate 'embarrassed' and 'ashamed'. In Spanish, 'avergonzado' bridges this gap, so don't feel like you need a different word for a moral failing versus a social trip-up.

The phrase 'No tener vergüenza' is often used in Spanish politics and news. Telenovelas frequently feature scenes where a character is 'avergonzado' by a family secret. In Don Quixote, characters often feel 'avergonzados' by their lack of chivalry or social standing.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Social Gatherings

Lo siento, estoy avergonzado.
¡Qué vergüenza!
No me mires, estoy avergonzado.
Me puse avergonzado cuando hablé.

School/Work

Estoy avergonzado de mi nota.
El jefe está avergonzado por el error.
No estés avergonzado de preguntar.
Me siento avergonzado por llegar tarde.

Family

Estoy avergonzado de lo que hice.
Mis padres están avergonzados.
No avergüences a tu hermano.
Me siento avergonzado de mi cuarto.

Public Situations

Se cayó y estaba avergonzado.
Todo el mundo lo miraba avergonzado.
Salió avergonzado del cine.
Estoy avergonzado de mi ropa.

Apologies

Estoy muy avergonzado, perdóname.
Me siento avergonzado por mi actitud.
No sé qué decir, estoy avergonzado.
Avergonzado, te pido disculpas.

Iniciadores de conversa

"¿Alguna vez te has sentido avergonzado en una primera cita?"

"¿Qué es lo más avergonzado que te has sentido en el trabajo?"

"¿Te sientes avergonzado cuando tienes que hablar en otro idioma?"

"¿Crees que es bueno estar avergonzado a veces?"

"¿Qué haces cuando ves a alguien que está muy avergonzado?"

Temas para diário

Describe una situación en la que estuviste muy avergonzado y cómo la manejaste.

Escribe sobre por qué algunas personas nunca parecen estar avergonzadas de nada.

¿Es la vergüenza una emoción útil para la sociedad? Explica tu opinión.

Escribe una carta de disculpa usando la palabra 'avergonzado' al menos tres veces.

Compara cómo te sientes cuando estás 'avergonzado' versus cuando estás 'triste'.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Generally, no. 'Estar' is used for emotions and temporary states. Saying 'Soy avergonzado' would imply that your entire essence is 'embarrassment', which is grammatically incorrect in Spanish.

In many Latin American countries, they are used interchangeably for 'embarrassed'. However, in Spain, 'apenado' more commonly means 'sad' or 'grieved'. 'Avergonzado' is universal for shame.

It can be. It ranges from 'I'm embarrassed I tripped' to 'I am ashamed of my crimes'. Context and adverbs like 'un poco' or 'muy' determine the strength.

Spanish uses the phrase 'Siento vergüenza ajena por ti'. You wouldn't typically use 'avergonzado' in that specific construction.

Both are common. 'De' often introduces the source (ashamed OF), while 'por' often introduces the reason (ashamed BECAUSE OF). Both are usually correct.

No, it also means 'embarrassed'. Spanish doesn't have two separate words for these like English does; context is key.

Add an 's': 'avergonzados'. If the group is all female, it becomes 'avergonzadas'.

It is a person who has no shame (a scoundrel). It's a noun made from 'sin' (without) and 'vergüenza' (shame).

Not really. For a shy person, use 'tímido'. 'Avergonzado' is for a specific moment of feeling shame.

In Spain, it's like 'th' in 'think'. In Latin America, it's like 's' in 'sink'.

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