Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Shame in Spanish: Vergüenza
Vergüenza · noun (feminine) · behr-GWEN-sah
Shame in Spanish is vergüenza, a feminine noun that covers both the emotion of shame and the feeling of embarrassment. In Mexico and parts of Central America, the word pena is often used colloquially to express the same feeling.
Vergüenza is pronounced behr-GWEN-sah. The ü with a diaeresis indicates that the u is pronounced, creating a gw sound rather than a silent u.
Siento mucha vergüenza por lo que dije anoche.
I feel a lot of shame about what I said last night.
Shame in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for shame, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| vergüenza | shame | behr-GWEN-sah | Default, widely understood |
| pena | shame | Mexico and Central America, meaning embarrassment |
How Native Speakers Use Vergüenza
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Expressing embarrassment
Me da vergüenza hablar en público.
I feel ashamed to speak in public.
Describing stage fright or social anxiety.
Scolding behavior
¡Qué vergüenza! No deberías haber hecho eso.
What a shame! You shouldn't have done that.
Expressing disapproval of someone's actions.
Mexican variant
Me da mucha pena pedirte un favor.
I feel embarrassed asking you for a favor.
In Mexico, pena is commonly used instead of vergüenza for mild embarrassment.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Vergüenza
Omitting the diaeresis on the u
Incorrect: Siento verguenza por eso.
Correct: Siento vergüenza por eso.
The diaeresis (ü) is essential because without it, the u would be silent after g, changing the pronunciation entirely.
Using vergüenza when meaning 'what a pity'
Incorrect: ¡Qué vergüenza que no puedas venir!
Correct: ¡Qué lástima que no puedas venir!
When expressing pity or regret about a situation, lástima (pity) is more appropriate than vergüenza, which implies disgrace or embarrassment.
Lock in Shame 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 Vergüenza used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using vergüenza in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Siento mucha vergüenza por lo que dije anoche. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Shame in Spanish
- How do you say shame in Spanish?
- The standard translation is vergüenza (behr-GWEN-sah), which is used throughout the Spanish-speaking world to express both shame and embarrassment.
- What is the difference between vergüenza and pena?
- In most countries, vergüenza means shame while pena means sorrow, but in Mexico and Central America, pena is widely used as a synonym for embarrassment or mild shame.
- How do you say 'shameless' in Spanish?
- The adjective is sinvergüenza, which literally combines sin (without) and vergüenza (shame) and is used to describe someone who is brazenly shameless.