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How to Say "embarrassing" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “embarrassing” is “embarazoso” — use 'embarazoso' when a situation causes you to feel self-conscious or awkward, directly relating to personal feelings of embarrassment..

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embarazoso

/em-bah-rah-SOH-soh//embaɾaˈsoso/

adjectiveB1
Use 'embarazoso' when a situation causes you to feel self-conscious or awkward, directly relating to personal feelings of embarrassment.
A person accidentally wearing two different colored shoes in public, looking down with a blushing face.

Examples

Fue un momento muy embarazoso cuando olvidé su nombre.

It was a very embarrassing moment when I forgot her name.

Hubo un silencio embarazoso en la cena.

There was an awkward silence at the dinner.

Es embarazoso admitir que me equivoqué.

It is embarrassing to admit that I was wrong.

Describing Situations

This word is almost always used with the verb 'ser' (to be) because it describes a characteristic of an event or a situation.

Gender Agreement

The ending changes to -a (embarazosa) if you are describing a feminine word, like 'una situación'.

The 'Pregnant' Trap

Mistake: “Using 'embarazoso' to say you are pregnant.”

Correction: Use 'embarazada' for a person who is pregnant. 'Embarazoso' only means a situation is awkward.

People vs. Situations

Mistake: “Saying 'Estoy embarazoso' to mean 'I am embarrassed'.”

Correction: Say 'Me siento avergonzado' or 'Tengo vergüenza'. 'Embarazoso' describes the thing that causes the feeling, not the person feeling it.

incómodo

adjectiveB1
Use 'incómodo' to describe a situation that feels awkward or uncomfortable, often due to tension or a lack of ease, without necessarily implying personal shame.

Examples

Hubo un silencio incómodo después de que se fue.

There was an awkward silence after she left.

vergonzoso

vair-gohn-SOH-soh/beɾ.ɣonˈso.so/

adjectiveB1
Use 'vergonzoso' when a situation or action is shameful, disgraceful, or causes deep embarrassment due to its inappropriateness or poor quality.
A cartoon character standing next to a tipped-over vase, covering their face completely with their hands, indicating deep shame or embarrassment.

Examples

La manera en que trataron al cliente fue vergonzosa.

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

Olvidar mi discurso fue un momento vergonzoso.

Forgetting my speech was an embarrassing moment.

Es vergonzoso que todavía tengamos este problema.

It is embarrassing that we still have this problem.

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).

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.

violentos

/bee-oh-LEHN-tohs//bjoˈlentos/

adjectiveC1
Use 'violentos' to describe moments that are intensely uncomfortable or unsettling, creating a sense of unease or distress for those involved.
A person accidentally spilling a glass of water on someone's lap at a dinner table.

Examples

Fueron unos momentos violentos para todos nosotros.

Those were some awkward moments for all of us.

Embarrassing vs. Awkward

Learners often confuse 'embarazoso' and 'incómodo'. Remember, 'embarazoso' focuses more on the personal feeling of being self-conscious, while 'incómodo' describes the general awkwardness or discomfort of a situation.

Related Translations

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