How to Say "to shame" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to shame” is “avergonzar” — use 'avergonzar' when you want to express causing someone to feel embarrassed, ashamed, or guilty, often in a social context, affecting their honor or pride..
avergonzar
/ah-behr-gohn-SAHR//abeɾɣonˈθaɾ/
Examples
No quiero avergonzar a mi familia con mis acciones.
I don't want to shame my family with my actions.
Por favor, no me avergüences delante de mis amigos.
Please, don't embarrass me in front of my friends.
Sus mentiras avergonzaron a toda su familia.
His lies shamed his entire family.
Me avergüenza admitir que no he terminado el libro.
It embarrasses me to admit that I haven't finished the book.
The Dots on the 'u' (Dieresis)
When the 'o' changes to 'ue' in this verb, you must add two dots (ü) over the 'u' in forms like 'avergüenzo'. This tells you to pronounce the 'u' sound instead of keeping it silent.
The 'Z' to 'C' Swap
Like many Spanish verbs ending in -zar, the 'z' changes to a 'c' whenever an 'e' follows it, such as in 'avergoncé' (I embarrassed) or 'avergoncemos' (let's embarrass).
Missing the 'u' dots
Mistake: “averguenzo”
Correction: avergüenzo (without the dots, the 'u' is silent and it sounds like 'aver-ghen-zo' instead of 'aver-gwen-zo').
Confusing it with feeling ashamed
Mistake: “Avergüenzo de mi error.”
Correction: Me avergüenzo de mi error. (If YOU feel the shame, you must use the reflexive 'me' form).
humillar
/oo-mee-YAR//umiˈʝaɾ/
Examples
El jefe humilló al empleado frente a todos sus compañeros.
The boss shamed the employee in front of all his colleagues.
No es necesario humillar a nadie para ganar.
It's not necessary to humiliate anyone to win.
El equipo rival nos humilló con un marcador de cinco a cero.
The rival team humiliated us with a score of five to zero.
Ella se sintió humillada cuando el profesor la corrigió frente a todos.
She felt humiliated when the teacher corrected her in front of everyone.
Using the 'Personal A'
When you are humillating a specific person, you must use the word 'a' before the person, like: 'Humilló a su hermano'.
Humillar vs. Humillarse
When you humiliate someone else, use 'humillar'. If you are talking about someone lowering their own pride, use the form 'humillarse' (to humble oneself).
Spelling with 'i'
Mistake: “humilliar”
Correction: humillar (There is no 'i' after the 'll' in this verb).
Avergonzar vs. Humillar
Related Translations
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