pena
/PEH-nah/
pity
The most common meaning of pena is sadness or pity. The phrase ¡Qué pena! expresses disappointment or shame.
pena(Noun)
pity
?feeling sorry for someone/something
,shame
?as in 'what a shame'
,sadness
?a feeling of sorrow
sorrow
?a deeper sadness
,grief
?related to loss
📝 In Action
Qué pena que no puedas venir a la fiesta.
A2What a shame you can't come to the party.
Me da mucha pena ver a los perros en la calle.
B1It makes me very sad to see dogs on the street.
Siento una gran pena por su pérdida.
B2I feel great sorrow for their loss.
💡 Grammar Points
Expressing Feelings with 'Dar'
Instead of saying 'I feel sad' (Siento pena), it's very common to say something 'gives' you sadness: 'Me da pena'. Think of it like 'It gives me sadness' or 'It makes me sad'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Your Go-To Phrase for Disappointment
'¡Qué pena!' is the perfect, simple response when you hear slightly bad news, like a friend canceling plans. It's like saying 'What a bummer!' or 'What a shame!'
Pena can also mean shyness or embarrassment, especially when used with 'dar' or 'tener' in Latin America.
📝 In Action
Me da pena hablar en público.
B1I get embarrassed speaking in public.
No tengas pena, pregunta lo que quieras.
B1Don't be shy, ask whatever you want.
A mi hijo le da pena hablar con adultos.
B2My son is shy about talking to adults.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Sadness and Shyness
Mistake: "Thinking 'Me da pena' always means 'It makes me sad'."
Correction: Context is key! If someone is about to perform or speak, 'Me da pena' almost always means 'I'm embarrassed/nervous'. If they are talking about a sad situation, it means 'It makes me sad'.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Softer 'Embarrassment'
While 'vergüenza' can mean strong shame, 'pena' is often a softer, gentler word for shyness or social awkwardness. It's very common in Latin America to say '¡Qué pena!' instead of 'perdón' when you bump into someone.
In fixed phrases like valer la pena, pena refers to the effort or trouble that makes a goal worthwhile.
pena(Noun)
effort
?in the phrase 'worth the effort'
,trouble
?as in 'worth the trouble'
pains
?as in 'to take pains to do something'
📝 In Action
Aprender un nuevo idioma vale la pena.
B1Learning a new language is worth the effort.
Merece la pena visitar ese museo.
B1It's worthwhile to visit that museum.
A duras penas llegamos a tiempo.
B2We barely managed to arrive on time.
⭐ Usage Tips
Memorize 'Vale la pena'
This is one of the most useful phrases in Spanish. Think of it as a set chunk of language. Anything can 'valer la pena': a trip, a book, a relationship, hard work. Just plug it in!
In formal and legal contexts, pena means penalty or sentence, referring to official punishment.
pena(Noun)
penalty
?legal or official punishment
,sentence
?a punishment given by a court
punishment
?general term
📝 In Action
El ladrón cumplió su pena de tres años.
B2The thief served his three-year sentence.
La pena de muerte es un tema controversial.
B2The death penalty is a controversial topic.
Conducir ebrio conlleva una pena severa.
C1Drunk driving carries a severe penalty.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Everything
You'll almost never confuse this meaning with the others. If you see 'pena' used with words like 'juez' (judge), 'cárcel' (prison), or 'ley' (law), it's talking about punishment.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pena
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'pena' to mean 'embarrassment' or 'shyness'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'pena' and 'vergüenza' for 'embarrassment'?
They are often interchangeable, but 'pena' can feel a bit softer, closer to 'shyness' or 'self-consciousness.' 'Vergüenza' can imply a stronger feeling of shame, like you did something wrong. In many parts of Latin America, 'pena' is much more common in everyday situations.
Can I say 'vale el esfuerzo' instead of 'vale la pena'?
Yes, you can! 'Vale el esfuerzo' (it's worth the effort) is perfectly correct and understood. However, 'vale la pena' is a much more common and natural-sounding fixed phrase that learners should master.