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A young girl looking down at the floor with a sad expression and rosy red cheeks.

avergonzada

ah-behr-gohn-SAH-dah

adjectivefA2
ashamed?feeling guilt or regret about an action,embarrassed?feeling self-conscious in a social situation
Also:humiliated?feeling a strong loss of pride or dignity

📝 In Action

Ella se sintió muy avergonzada por haber mentido.

A2

She felt very ashamed for having lied.

Ana estaba avergonzada porque se le olvidó el nombre de su jefe.

B1

Ana was embarrassed because she forgot her boss's name.

No estés avergonzada, todos cometemos errores.

A2

Don't be embarrassed; we all make mistakes.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • abochornada (flushed/embarrassed)
  • penosa (shy/embarrassed (used in some regions))
  • humillada (humiliated)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • sentirse avergonzada – to feel ashamed
  • estar avergonzada de – to be ashamed of
  • profundamente avergonzada – deeply embarrassed

💡 Grammar Points

Matching the Person

This word ends in -a because it describes a female person. If you are describing a male, you must use 'avergonzado'.

Using 'Estar' vs 'Ser'

Always use this word with 'estar' or 'sentirse' because embarrassment is a temporary feeling, not a permanent character trait.

❌ Common Pitfalls

The 'Embarrassed' Trap

Mistake: "Using 'embarazada' to mean embarrassed."

Correction: Say 'avergonzada'. In Spanish, 'embarazada' means 'pregnant', which could lead to a very funny misunderstanding!

⭐ Usage Tips

Adding Emphasis

To say you are 'very' embarrassed, you can say 'muy avergonzada' or 'totalmente avergonzada'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: avergonzada

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly describes a woman who feels silly after tripping in public?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

vergüenza(shame/embarrassment) - noun
avergonzar(to shame/to embarrass) - verb
avergonzado(ashamed (masculine form)) - adjective
sinvergüenza(scoundrel/shameless person) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'avergonzada' and 'penosa'?

Both can mean embarrassed. 'Avergonzada' is more common for feeling shame or regret, while 'penosa' is often used in Mexico and other regions to mean 'shy' or 'socially self-conscious'.

Can I use 'avergonzada' for a group of people?

If it is a group of only women, use 'avergonzadas'. If there is at least one man in the group, use 'avergonzados'.