ofender
/oh-fen-DEHR/
to offend
When ofender means to offend, it refers to causing hurt feelings.
ofender(verb)
to offend
?to cause hurt feelings
,to insult
?to say something rude
to displease
?formal context
📝 In Action
No quise ofenderte, solo expresé mi opinión.
A2I didn't mean to offend you, I just expressed my opinion.
Es fácil ofender a la gente si no piensas antes de hablar.
B1It's easy to offend people if you don't think before speaking.
El chiste ofendió a la mitad de la audiencia.
B1The joke offended half of the audience.
💡 Grammar Points
The Reflexive Form: Ofenderse
When you want to say someone 'gets offended' or 'takes offense,' you must use the reflexive form: 'ofenderse'. For example: 'Ella se ofendió' (She got offended).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Action vs. State
Mistake: "Using 'estar ofendido' to describe the action: 'Ella está ofendida por el chiste.'"
Correction: Use 'ofenderse' for the action of becoming offended, and 'estar ofendido' only for the resulting state: 'Ella se ofendió con el chiste' (Action). 'Ella está ofendida' (State).
⭐ Usage Tips
Apologizing
A common way to apologize when you worry you hurt someone’s feelings is: 'Perdón si te ofendí' (Sorry if I offended you).
Another meaning of ofender (to violate) is to break a rule or law.
ofender(verb)
to violate
?a rule or law
,to break
?a principle or agreement
to transgress
?formal/literary
📝 In Action
El conductor fue multado por ofender las normas de tráfico.
B2The driver was fined for violating the traffic rules.
La empresa fue acusada de ofender los derechos laborales.
C1The company was accused of violating labor rights.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
This meaning is almost exclusively used in legal or very serious, formal discussions about rules and regulations, not in casual conversation.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ofender
Question 1 of 2
¿Cuál es la forma más común de decir 'She got offended'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'ofender' and 'insultar'?
'Ofender' is broader; it means to hurt someone's feelings, whether intentionally or accidentally. 'Insultar' is more direct and usually means to use rude words specifically intended to attack or disrespect someone.
Why is 'ofenderse' so important?
Because Spanish speakers rarely use the simple verb 'ofender' to talk about themselves or others feeling hurt. They almost always use 'ofenderse' (the reflexive form) to show the person is the one experiencing the offense.