Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Pregnant in Spanish
Embarazada · adjective · ehm-bah-rah-SAH-dah
The Spanish word for pregnant is 'embarazada' — one of the most famous false cognates between English and Spanish. 'Embarazada' means pregnant, NOT embarrassed (which is 'avergonzada'). This confusion has led to countless humorous stories of English speakers accidentally announcing pregnancy when they meant to say they were embarrassed.
Pronounced ehm-bah-rah-SAH-dah with stress on the fourth syllable. Five syllables total, with clear vowels throughout.
Mi hermana está embarazada de cinco meses.
My sister is five months pregnant.
Pregnant in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for pregnant, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| embarazada | pregnant | ehm-bah-rah-SAH-dah | Default, widely understood |
| encinta | pregnant | formal/literary | |
| preñada | pregnant | animals or crude/informal |
How Native Speakers Use Embarazada
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Sharing news
¡Estamos esperando un bebé! Estoy embarazada de ocho semanas.
We're expecting a baby! I'm eight weeks pregnant.
Uses the common expression 'embarazada de + time' to indicate how far along the pregnancy is.
Medical context
¿Existe alguna posibilidad de que esté embarazada?
Is there any possibility that you could be pregnant?
Standard medical question using the subjunctive 'esté embarazada.'
Formal register
La mujer encinta debe tener controles prenatales regulares.
The pregnant woman should have regular prenatal check-ups.
Shows the formal/literary synonym 'encinta' used in medical or official contexts.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Embarazada
The classic false cognate
Incorrect: Estoy embarazada. (when meaning embarrassed)
Correct: Estoy avergonzada. (embarrassed) / Estoy embarazada. (pregnant)
This is one of Spanish's most famous false friends. 'Embarazada' = pregnant. 'Embarrassed' = avergonzada/a. Many learners accidentally say they're pregnant when they mean embarrassed.
Using 'preñada' for people
Incorrect: Mi esposa está preñada.
Correct: Mi esposa está embarazada.
While technically understood, 'preñada' sounds crude or disrespectful when applied to humans. It's the standard term for pregnant animals. Use 'embarazada' for people.
Lock in Pregnant 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 Embarazada used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using embarazada in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi hermana está embarazada de cinco meses. 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 Pregnant in Spanish
- Why do people confuse 'embarazada' with 'embarrassed'?
- The confusion stems from shared Latin roots — both words derive from the Latin 'imbarricare' (to block/obstruct), but they evolved differently: in Spanish it came to mean 'burdened' (with child), while in English it shifted to mean 'made uncomfortable or self-conscious.'
- How do I say 'embarrassed' in Spanish without this confusion?
- To say 'embarrassed' correctly in Spanish, use 'avergonzado/a' (ashamed/embarrassed) or 'apenado/a' (in Latin America), which clearly communicate self-consciousness without any pregnancy connotation.
- Can 'embarazada' be used for the verb 'to get pregnant'?
- The verb form is 'quedarse embarazada' or 'embarazarse,' where 'quedarse embarazada' is the most natural everyday expression — for example, 'se quedó embarazada el año pasado' (she got pregnant last year).