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vergonzoso

vair-gohn-SOH-sohbeɾ.ɣonˈso.so

“vergonzoso” means “shameful” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

shameful, embarrassing

Also: disgraceful
A cartoon character standing next to a tipped-over vase, covering their face completely with their hands, indicating deep shame or embarrassment.

📝 In Action

La manera en que trataron al cliente fue vergonzosa.

B1

The way they treated the customer was shameful (or disgraceful).

Olvidar mi discurso fue un momento vergonzoso.

A2

Forgetting my speech was an embarrassing moment.

Es vergonzoso que todavía tengamos este problema.

B2

It is embarrassing that we still have this problem.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • bochornoso (humiliating)
  • indecoroso (indecent)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • situación vergonzosa – embarrassing situation
  • acto vergonzoso – shameful act

shy, bashful

Also: ashamed
A small, timid character partially hiding behind a large, bright green tree trunk, peeking out nervously with one eye.

📝 In Action

Mi hijo es muy vergonzoso y no le gusta hablar en clase.

A2

My son is very shy and doesn't like to speak in class.

Estaba tan vergonzosa que se puso roja.

B1

She was so bashful/ashamed that she turned red.

Cuando le pregunté su nombre, se puso vergonzoso.

B1

When I asked his name, he got shy/embarrassed.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tímido (timid)
  • apocado (meek)

Antonyms

  • extrovertido (extroverted)

Common Collocations

  • ser vergonzoso – to be shy (a permanent trait)
  • estar vergonzoso – to feel ashamed/embarrassed (a temporary state)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "vergonzoso" in Spanish:

ashamed→bashful→disgraceful→embarrassing→shameful→shy→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: vergonzoso

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'vergonzoso' to describe a person's nature, not an event?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
vergüenza(shame, embarrassment) — Noun
avergonzar(to shame, to embarrass) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Spanish noun 'vergüenza' (shame) combined with the common suffix '-oso,' which means 'full of' or 'characterized by.' Therefore, 'vergonzoso' literally means 'full of shame.'

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: vergonhosoItalian: vergognoso

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'vergonzoso' and 'tímido'?

'Vergonzoso' can mean 'shy' (describing a person) OR 'shameful' (describing an action). 'Tímido' only means 'shy.' If you want to describe an embarrassing situation, you must use 'vergonzoso'.

Does 'vergonzoso' imply moral failure?

It can! If applied to corruption or a lie, it means 'disgraceful' or 'morally shameful.' If applied to tripping in public, it just means 'embarrassing.' The context determines the intensity of the shame.