apenado
“apenado” means “sorry” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
sorry, sad
Also: grieved
📝 In Action
Estoy muy apenado por la muerte de tu gato.
A1I am very sorry about the death of your cat.
Ella se siente apenada por no haber podido ir a tu fiesta.
A2She feels bad for not being able to go to your party.
Nos quedamos apenados al ver las noticias del desastre.
B1We were saddened to see the news about the disaster.
embarrassed, ashamed
Also: shy
📝 In Action
No te quedes ahí apenado, ¡pasa y conoce a la familia!
A2Don't stand there shyly, come in and meet the family!
Me sentí muy apenado cuando se me olvidó tu nombre.
B1I felt very embarrassed when I forgot your name.
Él estaba apenado por haber llegado tan tarde a la cena.
B1He was ashamed of having arrived so late to the dinner.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: apenado
Question 1 of 3
In Mexico, if you trip in public, you would likely feel:
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the Spanish noun 'pena' (meaning sorrow or punishment), which comes from the Latin word 'poena' (penalty/punishment). The prefix 'a-' and suffix '-ado' turn the root into an adjective describing a state of being.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'apenado' the same as 'avergonzado'?
Yes, they are very similar! 'Avergonzado' usually implies a stronger sense of shame or guilt, while 'apenado' is often used for lighter social embarrassment or simply feeling sorry.
Can I use 'apenado' for 'pregnant'?
No! This is a common mistake. 'Apenado' is embarrassed. 'Embarazada' is pregnant.
Does this word always mean 'sad'?
Not always. In Spain, it usually means sad or sorry. In Mexico and parts of Latin America, it almost always means embarrassed or shy.