vergonzoso
/vair-gohn-SOH-soh/
shameful
When an action is morally wrong or embarrassing, it is 'vergonzoso' (shameful).
vergonzoso(Adjective)
shameful
?Describing an action or situation
,embarrassing
?Describing a moment or mistake
disgraceful
?When describing severe moral failing
📝 In Action
La manera en que trataron al cliente fue vergonzosa.
B1The way they treated the customer was shameful (or disgraceful).
Olvidar mi discurso fue un momento vergonzoso.
A2Forgetting my speech was an embarrassing moment.
Es vergonzoso que todavía tengamos este problema.
B2It is embarrassing that we still have this problem.
💡 Grammar Points
Making it Match
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'vergonzoso' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use -a for feminine nouns (vergonzosa) and add -s for plurals (vergonzosos/vergonzosas).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up the 'Oso' words
Mistake: "Using 'vergonzoso' when you mean 'vergonzante' (which is very rare and means 'shaming')."
Correction: Always use 'vergonzoso' to describe something that causes shame or is full of shame.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Ser
This adjective usually describes a permanent quality of the event or action, so you will almost always use the verb 'ser' (to be) with it: 'El escándalo fue vergonzoso' (The scandal was shameful).
If a person is timid or afraid of social interaction, they are 'vergonzoso' (shy).
vergonzoso(Adjective)
shy
?Describing a person's nature
,bashful
?Describing someone who is timid
ashamed
?Describing a person feeling personal shame
📝 In Action
Mi hijo es muy vergonzoso y no le gusta hablar en clase.
A2My son is very shy and doesn't like to speak in class.
Estaba tan vergonzosa que se puso roja.
B1She was so bashful/ashamed that she turned red.
Cuando le pregunté su nombre, se puso vergonzoso.
B1When I asked his name, he got shy/embarrassed.
💡 Grammar Points
Ser vs. Estar: Personality vs. Feeling
Use 'ser' (Ella es vergonzosa) to describe someone's shy personality. Use 'estar' (Él está vergonzoso) to describe that they are currently feeling ashamed or embarrassed about something.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Shy' and 'Shameful'
Mistake: "Using 'tímido' to describe a shameful event."
Correction: Tímido only describes people who are shy. Use 'vergonzoso' for both the shy person AND the embarrassing event.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Friendly Alternative
While 'vergonzoso' is correct, many speakers prefer 'tímido' when simply describing a child or person who is shy, reserving 'vergonzoso' for those who are deeply bashful or easily overwhelmed by shame.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: vergonzoso
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'vergonzoso' to describe a person's nature, not an event?
📚 More Resources
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.