avergonzar Present Conjugation
avergonzar — to embarrass
Avergonzar is a stem-changer (o > ue) in all forms except nosotros and vosotros: avergüenzo, avergüenzas, avergüenza, avergonzamos, avergonzáis, avergüenzan.
avergonzar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense to talk about things that currently cause embarrassment or to describe a general tendency to feel ashamed in certain situations.
Notes on avergonzar in the Present
This verb undergoes a 'boot' stem change where the 'o' becomes 'ue' when stressed. Additionally, a dieresis (ü) is added over the 'u' to ensure it is pronounced before the 'e'.
Example Sentences
Me avergüenzo de lo que dije ayer.
I am ashamed of what I said yesterday.
yo
A veces mi hermano me avergüenza en público.
Sometimes my brother embarrasses me in public.
él/ella/usted
Tus chistes no nos avergüenzan.
Your jokes don't embarrass us.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Writing 'averguenzo' without the dots.
Correct: avergüenzo
Why: The dieresis (ü) is required so the 'u' is actually pronounced; otherwise, 'gue' would sound like the 'ge' in 'get'.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: avergoncé
Avergonzar is regular except for the 'yo' form, which changes 'z' to 'c': avergoncé.
Imperfect
yo: avergonzaba
Avergonzar is completely regular in the imperfect: avergonzaba, avergonzabas, avergonzaba...
Future
yo: avergonzaré
The future tense is regular; just add the endings to the infinitive: avergonzaré, avergonzarás...
Conditional
yo: avergonzaría
The conditional is regular: avergonzaría, avergonzarías, avergonzaría...
Present Subjunctive
yo: avergüence
The subjunctive uses the 'ue' stem change and the 'z' to 'c' spelling change: avergüence, avergüences...
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: avergonzara
The imperfect subjunctive is based on the preterite stem: avergonzara, avergonzaras...
Affirmative Imperative
yo: avergüenza
The imperative uses the 'ue' stem change: avergüenza (tú), avergüence (usted).
Negative Imperative
yo: no avergüences
The negative imperative matches the present subjunctive: no avergüences, no avergüence.