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embarrassed and Spanish embarazada
In English
embarrassed
ashamed / self-conscious
In Spanish
embarazada
espera un bebé
Spanish "embarazada" means: pregnant
Why they get mixed up "Embarrassed" and Spanish "embarazada" are related: English took the word, through French, from Spanish "embarazar." In English it drifted toward feeling ashamed or in an awkward social spot. The meaning of being pregnant stayed in Spanish. Spanish "embarazada" in English is "pregnant."
If you want to say...
- I'm embarrassedme da vergüenza o estoy avergonzado
- I'm pregnantestoy embarazada
- How embarrassing!¡Qué vergüenza!
Examples
I was so embarrassed when I forgot his name.
Me dio mucha vergüenza cuando olvidé su nombre.
She felt embarrassed about her mistake.
Ella se sintió avergonzada por su error.
My cheeks turned red because I was embarrassed.
Se me pusieron rojas las mejillas porque me dio vergüenza.
Don't be embarrassed, everyone makes mistakes.
No te dé vergüenza, todos cometemos errores.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: Estoy muy embarazado por lo que dije.
Correct: Me da mucha vergüenza lo que dije.
Embarazada means pregnant. To say you are embarrassed, use "me da vergüenza" or "estoy avergonzado/a".
Incorrect: Ella está embarazada porque se cayó frente a todos.
Correct: Ella está avergonzada porque se cayó frente a todos.
Unless she is expecting a baby, embarazada is the wrong word here. This is a classic slip for English speakers.
Phrases you will hear
- I'm so embarrassed!¡Qué vergüenza!
- an embarrassing momentun momento vergonzoso
- feel embarrassed about somethingsentir vergüenza por algo
- too embarrassed to askcon demasiada pena para preguntar
- blush with embarrassmentsonrojarse de vergüenza
- I'm pregnantestoy embarazada
In a conversation
- A:
Why is your face so red?
¿Por qué tienes la cara tan roja?
- B:
I called my boss "Mom" in front of everyone. I'm so embarrassed!
Le dije "mamá" a mi jefa delante de todos. ¡Qué vergüenza!
- A:
Don't worry, that happens to everyone.
No te preocupes, eso le pasa a todos.
- B:
Thanks. I still want to disappear.
Gracias. Todavía quiero desaparecer.
Test yourself
"I'm embarrassed" means...
To remember it
Embarrassed has "bar" in it: picture the embarrassment of singing badly at a BAR. Being pregnant is "pregnant."
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "embarazada" mean?
Spanish "embarazada" means "pregnant". It looks like the English "embarrassed", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "embarrassed" means "ashamed / self-conscious".
Does English "embarrassed" mean the same as Spanish "embarazada"?
"Embarrassed" and Spanish "embarazada" are related: English took the word, through French, from Spanish "embarazar." In English it drifted toward feeling ashamed or in an awkward social spot. The meaning of being pregnant stayed in Spanish. Spanish "embarazada" in English is "pregnant."