Inklingo

How to Say "shame" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “shame” is “vergüenza” — use 'vergüenza' for the most common feeling of embarrassment or shame due to foolish or wrong behavior, especially in social situations..

vergüenzaA1

Use 'vergüenza' for the most common feeling of embarrassment or shame due to foolish or wrong behavior, especially in social situations.

{ui.learnMore}
pena🔊A2

Use 'pena' when expressing 'what a shame' about an unfortunate situation or when feeling regret that something undesirable happened.

{ui.learnMore}
lástima🔊A2

Choose 'lástima' when you feel pity or compassion for someone in an unfortunate or sad situation.

{ui.learnMore}
colores🔊B2

Use 'colores' (literally 'colors') to describe a physical manifestation of embarrassment, like blushing.

{ui.learnMore}
pecado🔊B2

Use 'pecado' to express a strong sense of pity or regret, often when something is a waste or a missed opportunity.

{ui.learnMore}
desgracia🔊B2

Opt for 'desgracia' when referring to public humiliation or a fall from grace, often due to scandal or disgrace.

{ui.learnMore}
humillaciónB2

Use 'humillación' for a profound loss of dignity or self-respect, often experienced internally after a deeply embarrassing event.

{ui.learnMore}
English → Spanish

vergüenza

NounA1General
Use 'vergüenza' for the most common feeling of embarrassment or shame due to foolish or wrong behavior, especially in social situations.

Examples

Me da vergüenza hablar en público.

I feel ashamed/embarrassed speaking in public.

pena

/PEH-nah//ˈpena/

NounA2General
Use 'pena' when expressing 'what a shame' about an unfortunate situation or when feeling regret that something undesirable happened.
A sad child sitting on the floor next to a broken, single-wheeled toy car, illustrating sorrow or pity.

Examples

¡Qué pena que no puedas venir a la fiesta!

What a shame you can't come to the party!

Qué pena que no puedas venir a la fiesta.

What a shame you can't come to the party.

Me da mucha pena ver a los perros en la calle.

It makes me very sad to see dogs on the street.

Siento una gran pena por su pérdida.

I feel great sorrow for their loss.

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'.

NounA2General
Choose 'lástima' when you feel pity or compassion for someone in an unfortunate or sad situation.

Examples

Sentí lástima por el perro abandonado.

I felt pity for the abandoned dog.

colores

koh-LOH-rehs/koˈloɾes/

NounB2Informal
Use 'colores' (literally 'colors') to describe a physical manifestation of embarrassment, like blushing.
A close-up illustration of a person's face showing strong red blush covering their cheeks and nose, indicating embarrassment.

Examples

Se le subieron los colores al preguntarle por su exnovio.

He blushed/felt embarrassed when they asked him about his ex-boyfriend.

Cuando le preguntaron por su secreto, se le subieron los colores a la cara.

When they asked him about his secret, he blushed/felt embarrassed.

Esa revista tiene artículos de todos colores: política, chismes, ciencia...

That magazine has articles of all kinds (of every color): politics, gossip, science...

Subir los colores

When someone blushes, Spanish often uses the verb 'subir' (to go up) or 'salir' (to come out) with 'los colores' as the subject: 'Se me subieron los colores' (The colors rose in me).

pecado

peh-CAH-doh/peˈkaðo/

NounB2General
Use 'pecado' to express a strong sense of pity or regret, often when something is a waste or a missed opportunity.
A sad, simple figure sitting next to a puddle of spilled milk on the floor, holding their head in their hands in an expression of great disappointment or regret.

Examples

Es un pecado desperdiciar tanta comida.

It's a shame/sin to waste so much food.

Es un pecado tirar tanta comida; mejor dónala.

It's a shame/waste to throw away so much food; better to donate it.

¡Qué pecado que no pudieras venir a la fiesta!

What a pity/shame that you couldn't come to the party!

Dejar de estudiar ahora sería un pecado.

Stopping studying now would be a terrible mistake (a shame).

Expressing Regret

This meaning is almost always used impersonally: 'Es un pecado que...' (It is a shame that...). If you follow it with a verb, the verb often needs the special form for wishes and feelings (subjunctive).

Using the Wrong Verb Form

Mistake: “Es un pecado que no fuiste.”

Correction: Es un pecado que no fueras/hayas ido. (The expression of regret triggers the special verb form.)

desgracia

/des-GRAH-sya//desˈɣɾa.θja/

NounB2Formal
Opt for 'desgracia' when referring to public humiliation or a fall from grace, often due to scandal or disgrace.
An illustration depicting a solitary colorful figure standing alone with their head bowed in shame. Several simple, brightly colored figures in the distance are distinctly turning their backs away from the central figure, symbolizing disgrace and loss of reputation.

Examples

El escándalo fue una gran desgracia para su carrera.

The scandal was a great disgrace to his career.

El escándalo provocó la desgracia del político en la opinión pública.

The scandal caused the politician's disgrace in the eyes of the public.

Después de ese error, el asistente cayó en desgracia ante el jefe.

After that mistake, the assistant fell out of favor with the boss.

Formal Usage

In this sense, 'desgracia' often appears with verbs like 'caer en' (to fall into) or 'provocar' (to provoke), showing a change in status or reputation.

humillación

NounB2General
Use 'humillación' for a profound loss of dignity or self-respect, often experienced internally after a deeply embarrassing event.

Examples

Sintió una profunda humillación al ser despedido delante de todos.

He felt a profound humiliation when he was fired in front of everyone.

Vergüenza vs. Pena vs. Lástima

The most common confusion is between 'vergüenza' (personal embarrassment), 'pena' (a general unfortunate situation, 'what a shame'), and 'lástima' (pity for someone else). Remember: 'vergüenza' is about your own feelings, 'pena' is about the situation itself, and 'lástima' is about your feeling towards another's plight.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.