Does embarazada mean embarrassed in Spanish?

Embarazada is actually a false cognate and means pregnant, not embarrassed. This is one of the most well-known traps for English speakers learning Spanish, and using it incorrectly can lead to very awkward misunderstandings.

What is the difference between avergonzado and apenado?

Both words mean embarrassed, but their usage depends on region. Avergonzado is understood everywhere in the Spanish-speaking world, while apenado is preferred in Mexico and parts of Central America for everyday conversation.

How do I say I'm embarrassed in Spanish?

The most universal way is Estoy avergonzado (or avergonzada if you are female). In Mexico, you would more naturally say Estoy apenado/a. You can also use the phrase Me da vergüenza to express that something embarrasses you.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

Embarrased in Spanish: Avergonzado

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Avergonzado · adjective · ah-behr-gohn-SAH-doh

The Spanish word for embarrassed is avergonzado, derived from the noun vergüenza (shame). This is one of the most famous false-cognate traps in Spanish: embarazada does not mean embarrassed — it means pregnant. In Mexico and Central America, apenado is the more common way to express feeling embarrassed.

Say ah-behr-gohn-SAH-doh, placing the stress on the fourth syllable. The g before o is a soft throaty sound, not a hard English g.

Estoy avergonzado por lo que dije.

I'm embarrassed about what I said.

Embarrased in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for embarrased, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
avergonzado	embarrased	ah-behr-gohn-SAH-doh	Default, widely understood
apenado	embarrased		Mexico and Central America
con vergüenza	embarrased		descriptive phrase used across regions

How Native Speakers Use Avergonzado

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Feeling embarrassed after a mistake

Me sentí muy avergonzado cuando me tropecé en el escenario.

I felt very embarrassed when I tripped on the stage.

Avergonzado paired with sentirse is the most natural way to express this feeling.

Using the Mexican variant

Estaba bien apenada por llegar tarde a la cena.

She was really embarrassed about arriving late to dinner.

In Mexico, apenado/a is far more common in everyday speech than avergonzado.

Describing ongoing embarrassment

Todavía me da vergüenza recordar ese momento.

It still embarrasses me to remember that moment.

The construction dar vergüenza is used when something causes embarrassment rather than describing a state.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Avergonzado

Using embarazada to mean embarrassed

Incorrect: Estoy embarazada por mi error.

Correct: Estoy avergonzada por mi error.

Embarazada means pregnant in Spanish, not embarrassed. Saying estoy embarazada por mi error would confuse listeners into thinking you are announcing a pregnancy.

Dropping the gender agreement

Incorrect: Ella está avergonzado.

Correct: Ella está avergonzada.

Avergonzado follows standard adjective agreement. For a feminine subject, the ending must change to avergonzada.

Lock in Embarrased Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Avergonzado used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using avergonzado in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Estoy avergonzado por lo que dije. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Embarrased in Spanish

Does embarazada mean embarrassed in Spanish?: Embarazada is actually a false cognate and means pregnant, not embarrassed. This is one of the most well-known traps for English speakers learning Spanish, and using it incorrectly can lead to very awkward misunderstandings.
What is the difference between avergonzado and apenado?: Both words mean embarrassed, but their usage depends on region. Avergonzado is understood everywhere in the Spanish-speaking world, while apenado is preferred in Mexico and parts of Central America for everyday conversation.
How do I say I'm embarrassed in Spanish?: The most universal way is Estoy avergonzado (or avergonzada if you are female). In Mexico, you would more naturally say Estoy apenado/a. You can also use the phrase Me da vergüenza to express that something embarrasses you.