Hi, I’m Kodak.
Some Spanish mistakes are small. They may make your sentence sound slightly unnatural, but the listener can still understand what you intended to say.
Other mistakes completely change the meaning of the sentence.
Embarazada is one of the most famous examples.
I made a mistake while speaking Spanish, so I said:
Estoy embarazada.
Doesn’t that mean “I’m embarrassed”?
That is a very common mistake, but Estoy embarazada normally means:
“I’m pregnant.”
To say “I’m embarrassed,” use Estoy avergonzado or Estoy avergonzada.
The English word embarrassed and the Spanish word embarazada look so similar that a beginner may naturally assume they have the same meaning.
They do not normally have the same meaning in modern everyday conversation.
Embarazada = pregnant
Avergonzado / avergonzada = embarrassed or ashamed
Me da vergüenza = I feel embarrassed / It embarrasses me
Qué vergüenza = How embarrassing / That is embarrassing
In this article, we will examine why this confusion happens and learn several natural ways to express embarrassment in Spanish.
- 1 What Does Embarazada Mean in Spanish?
- 2 Why Is Embarazada a False Friend?
- 3 How to Pronounce Embarazada
- 4 Embarazada, Embarazado, Embarazadas and Embarazados
- 5 How to Say “I’m Embarrassed” in Spanish
- 6 Why Do We Use Estar with Avergonzado?
- 7 Sentirse Avergonzado: “To Feel Embarrassed”
- 8 Me Da Vergüenza: A Very Natural Way to Say “I’m Embarrassed”
- 9 Me Dio Vergüenza: “I Felt Embarrassed” in the Past
- 10 Qué Vergüenza: “How Embarrassing!”
- 11 Avergonzar: “To Embarrass Someone”
- 12 Embarrassed vs. Ashamed in Spanish
- 13 Estar Incómodo: Embarrassed, Uncomfortable or Awkward?
- 14 Apenado Does Not Always Equal Embarrassed
- 15 Does Embarazoso Mean “Embarrassing”?
- 16 Can Embarazado Technically Mean Embarrassed?
- 17 The Origin of Embarazada and Embarrassed
- 18 Common Pregnancy Expressions with Embarazada
- 19 Common Mistakes with Embarazada
- 20 Which Spanish Expression Should You Use?
- 21 Natural Conversation Examples
- 22 Frequently Asked Questions About Embarazada
- 22.1 What does embarazada mean in Spanish?
- 22.2 Does embarazada mean embarrassed?
- 22.3 How do you say “I’m embarrassed” in Spanish?
- 22.4 How do you say “I feel embarrassed” in Spanish?
- 22.5 What does estoy embarazada mean?
- 22.6 Can a man say estoy embarazado?
- 22.7 What is the noun for pregnancy in Spanish?
- 22.8 What is the difference between avergonzado and incómodo?
- 22.9 Does embarazoso mean embarrassing?
- 23 Embarazada Meaning: Summary
- 24 Related Guide
What Does Embarazada Mean in Spanish?
Embarazada normally means “pregnant.”
It is the feminine form of the adjective embarazado.
= to be pregnant
una mujer embarazada
= a pregnant woman
quedarse embarazada
= to become pregnant / to get pregnant
el embarazo
= pregnancy
So if someone says Ana está embarazada, what exactly does it mean?
It means:
“Ana is pregnant.”
It does not normally mean that Ana feels embarrassed.
Example
Ana está embarazada.
Ana is pregnant.
Mi hermana está embarazada.
My sister is pregnant.
Está embarazada de seis meses.
She is six months pregnant.
Está embarazada de gemelos.
She is pregnant with twins.
Why Is Embarazada a False Friend?
A false friend is a word that looks or sounds similar to a word in another language but has a different meaning.
The Spanish word embarazada resembles the English word embarrassed.
That visual similarity encourages English speakers to make this incorrect connection:
embarrassed
↓
embarazada
The practical translation learners should remember is:
↓
pregnant
embarrassed
↓
avergonzado / avergonzada
Are false friends just random words that happen to look similar?
Sometimes they are unrelated coincidences.
In this case, however, the words are historically connected. Their meanings developed in different directions over time.
That makes them look familiar even though their everyday meanings are now different.
A useful memory image is:
When you see embarazada, think of pregnancy before you think of an uncomfortable emotion.
How to Pronounce Embarazada
Embarazada is divided into five syllables:
Approximate pronunciation in much of Latin America:
ehm-bah-rah-SAH-dah
IPA in seseo-speaking regions:
/embaɾaˈsaða/
The main stress falls on za:
em-ba-ra-ZA-da
In much of Spain, the letter z is pronounced with a sound similar to the English th in think.
Does the word have an accent mark?
No.
Embarazada ends in a vowel, so Spanish spelling rules naturally place the stress on the next-to-last syllable.
That syllable is za, so no written accent is needed.
Embarazada, Embarazado, Embarazadas and Embarazados
Spanish adjectives often change according to grammatical gender and number.
| Form | Grammar | Typical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| embarazada | feminine singular | pregnant |
| embarazado | masculine singular | grammatical masculine form; context determines interpretation |
| embarazadas | feminine plural | pregnant |
| embarazados | masculine or mixed plural | depends heavily on context |
What happens if a male learner says Estoy embarazado because he means “I’m embarrassed”?
Listeners probably will not understand it as the normal translation of “I’m embarrassed.”
It may sound like a joke about being pregnant, an unusual use, or a rare sense of feeling constrained.
The safe expression is Estoy avergonzado.
Estoy embarazada.
= I am pregnant.
Estoy embarazado.
≠ the normal way for a man to say “I am embarrassed”
Estoy avergonzado.
= I am embarrassed.
How to Say “I’m Embarrassed” in Spanish
The most direct general translation is:
Estoy avergonzado.
I’m embarrassed.
Female speaker:
Estoy avergonzada.
I’m embarrassed.
Avergonzado and avergonzada come from the verb avergonzar, meaning “to embarrass,” “to make ashamed,” or “to cause shame.”
Which one should I memorize first: avergonzado or avergonzada?
Memorize them as one adjective with two endings:
avergonzado/a
Then choose -o or -a according to the person being described.
Estoy avergonzado por mi error.
I’m embarrassed by my mistake. / I’m ashamed of my mistake.
Ella estaba avergonzada.
She was embarrassed.
Nos sentimos avergonzados.
We feel embarrassed.
Parecía avergonzada.
She looked embarrassed.
Why Do We Use Estar with Avergonzado?
Emotional states are commonly expressed with estar.
Therefore, the beginner-friendly pattern is:
Estoy avergonzado.
I am embarrassed.
Estaba avergonzada.
She was embarrassed.
Can I say Soy avergonzado?
Not as the normal way to say that you feel embarrassed at a particular moment.
For a current emotional state, use:
Estoy avergonzado.
Compare:
Unnatural as the basic translation of “I’m embarrassed.”
Estoy avergonzado.
I’m embarrassed.
Sentirse Avergonzado: “To Feel Embarrassed”
You can make the feeling explicit by using the reflexive verb sentirse.
= to feel embarrassed or ashamed
Me siento avergonzado.
I feel embarrassed.
Se sintió avergonzada por lo que dijo.
She felt embarrassed about what she said.
No tienes que sentirte avergonzado.
You don’t have to feel embarrassed.
What is the difference between Estoy avergonzado and Me siento avergonzado?
Both can mean “I feel embarrassed.”
Estoy avergonzado directly states your emotional condition.
Me siento avergonzado places slightly more emphasis on your personal feeling.
Me Da Vergüenza: A Very Natural Way to Say “I’m Embarrassed”
Spanish often expresses embarrassment with the noun vergüenza.
One of the most useful patterns is:
Literally:
“Something gives me embarrassment/shame.”
Natural English:
“I’m embarrassed to…”
“I feel embarrassed about…”
“I’m too embarrassed to…”
Why does Spanish say that something “gives” me embarrassment?
Spanish commonly uses dar with feelings and physical reactions.
Instead of describing yourself with an adjective, you describe the situation as causing the feeling.
It is best to learn me da vergüenza as a complete expression.
Me da vergüenza hablar en público.
I’m embarrassed to speak in public.
I feel shy about speaking in public.
Me da vergüenza pedir ayuda.
I’m embarrassed to ask for help.
Me da vergüenza mi pronunciación.
I’m embarrassed about my pronunciation.
¿Te da vergüenza bailar?
Are you embarrassed to dance?
Do you feel shy about dancing?
Pronouns with Dar Vergüenza
| Spanish | Basic meaning |
|---|---|
| Me da vergüenza. | It embarrasses me. |
| Te da vergüenza. | It embarrasses you. |
| Le da vergüenza. | It embarrasses him, her, or you formally. |
| Nos da vergüenza. | It embarrasses us. |
| Les da vergüenza. | It embarrasses them or you all. |
Does me da vergüenza change for male and female speakers?
No.
Unlike avergonzado/a, the noun vergüenza does not change according to the speaker’s gender.
Anyone can say Me da vergüenza.
Me Dio Vergüenza: “I Felt Embarrassed” in the Past
To describe a completed event in the past, change da to dio.
It embarrasses me. / I feel embarrassed.
Me dio vergüenza.
It embarrassed me. / I felt embarrassed.
Me dio vergüenza cuando olvidé su nombre.
I felt embarrassed when I forgot her name.
Me dio mucha vergüenza cometer ese error.
I was very embarrassed to make that mistake.
Can I say Tuve vergüenza for “I was embarrassed”?
It may be understandable in some contexts, but beginners will usually sound more natural with:
Me dio vergüenza,
Sentí vergüenza, or
Estaba avergonzado/a.
Qué Vergüenza: “How Embarrassing!”
When reacting to an embarrassing event, Spanish speakers often say:
How embarrassing!
That is so embarrassing!
What a shame!
Me caí delante de todos. ¡Qué vergüenza!
I fell in front of everyone. How embarrassing!
Olvidé el nombre de mi profesor. ¡Qué vergüenza!
I forgot my teacher’s name. How embarrassing!
Does Qué vergüenza always describe my own embarrassment?
No.
You can use it about your own mistake, another person’s behavior, or a situation that you consider shameful.
The English translation may be “how embarrassing,” “what a shame,” or “that is disgraceful,” depending on context.
Avergonzar: “To Embarrass Someone”
The verb avergonzar means to cause embarrassment or shame.
Eso me avergüenza.
That embarrasses me.
No quiero avergonzarte.
I don’t want to embarrass you.
Notice the spelling change in some present-tense forms:
avergüenzo — I embarrass
avergüenzas — you embarrass
avergüenza — he, she, or it embarrasses
avergonzamos — we embarrass
avergüenzan — they embarrass
Why does avergonzar change to avergüenza?
It is a stem-changing verb.
The o changes to üe in many stressed present-tense forms.
The diaeresis shows that the u is pronounced.
Mis padres me avergüenzan cuando cuentan esa historia.
My parents embarrass me when they tell that story.
No la avergüences delante de sus amigos.
Don’t embarrass her in front of her friends.
Su comentario me avergonzó.
His comment embarrassed me.
Embarrassed vs. Ashamed in Spanish
The English word embarrassed can describe a relatively small social discomfort:
- forgetting someone’s name
- making a pronunciation mistake
- falling in public
- being the center of attention
The English word ashamed often suggests a stronger moral judgment, guilt, or regret.
Spanish avergonzado/a can cover both areas depending on context.
So does avergonzado mean “embarrassed” or “ashamed”?
It can mean either.
The surrounding situation tells you how strong the feeling is.
A small social mistake suggests “embarrassed,” while serious regret may suggest “ashamed.”
I’m embarrassed because I pronounced her name incorrectly.
Estoy avergonzado de mi comportamiento.
I’m ashamed of my behavior.
Estar Incómodo: Embarrassed, Uncomfortable or Awkward?
Sometimes the English word embarrassed really means that a person feels socially uncomfortable or awkward.
In that situation, Spanish may use:
= to be uncomfortable or awkward
sentirse incómodo/a
= to feel uncomfortable
Me sentí incómodo durante la conversación.
I felt uncomfortable during the conversation.
La pregunta la hizo sentir incómoda.
The question made her feel uncomfortable.
When should I use incómodo instead of avergonzado?
Use avergonzado when shame, self-consciousness, or embarrassment is central.
Use incómodo when the main feeling is tension, awkwardness, or not being at ease.
Apenado Does Not Always Equal Embarrassed
You may also encounter apenado/a.
Its meaning varies by region and context, but it often relates to sadness, sorrow, distress, regret, or feeling sorry.
I’m sorry or saddened about what happened.
It does not always describe the same feeling as being socially embarrassed.
Can I always translate “I’m embarrassed” as Estoy apenado?
No.
Apenado can lean toward sadness, regret, or distress.
For a clear beginner translation of “embarrassed,” avergonzado/a is safer.
Does Embarazoso Mean “Embarrassing”?
The adjective embarazoso/a means something like:
- awkward
- uncomfortable
- inconvenient
- difficult to handle
- embarrassing in some contexts
Unlike embarazada, it can sometimes correspond to English embarrassing.
an awkward or embarrassing situation
una pregunta embarazosa
an awkward or embarrassing question
Wait—embarazada does not normally mean embarrassed, but embarazoso can mean embarrassing?
Yes, and that is why this word family is more complicated than the usual one-line false-friend warning.
Embarazoso focuses on something that creates difficulty, discomfort, or awkwardness.
Embarazada, in ordinary conversation, is strongly associated with pregnancy.
Compare:
I’m pregnant.
Fue una situación embarazosa.
It was an awkward or embarrassing situation.
Estoy avergonzada.
I’m embarrassed.
Can Embarazado Technically Mean Embarrassed?
This question requires a little nuance.
Spanish dictionaries also record a secondary sense of embarazado/a meaning inhibited, constrained, uncomfortable, or unable to act naturally.
This meaning is historically related to the idea of being hindered or obstructed.
However, this does not make Estoy embarazada a good beginner translation of “I’m embarrassed.”
embarazado/a can have an older or less central sense connected with awkwardness or inhibition.
Practical modern rule:
Estoy embarazada will normally be understood as “I’m pregnant.”
Use avergonzado/a, me da vergüenza, or incómodo/a for emotional embarrassment.
If a dictionary includes the uncomfortable meaning, is it really wrong to translate embarrassed as embarazado?
It is better to call it an unsafe and misleading translation rather than pretend the secondary sense never existed.
The main problem is interpretation: ordinary listeners are likely to think of pregnancy first.
Language learners should choose the expression that communicates the intended meaning clearly.
The Origin of Embarazada and Embarrassed
The similarity between the two words is not completely accidental.
The Spanish verb embarazar is historically connected with Portuguese or Leonese embaraçar, derived from a word referring to a rope, loop, or snare.
The original image was something like:
a rope, loop, or snare
↓
to entangle or obstruct someone
↓
to hinder, complicate, or make someone unable to act freely
English embarrass entered through French and developed toward the modern emotional meaning of making someone feel self-conscious, foolish, or uncomfortable.
Spanish retained meanings connected with obstruction and awkwardness, while embarazada became strongly established as the ordinary adjective for pregnancy.
How did an idea like “being tangled up” become connected to pregnancy?
The older word family expressed being hindered, burdened, or placed in a difficult condition.
Over time, Spanish developed a specific pregnancy meaning from that broader family.
English followed a different branch toward emotional discomfort.
Common Pregnancy Expressions with Embarazada
Estar embarazada
Está embarazada.
She is pregnant.
Quedarse embarazada
Se quedó embarazada el año pasado.
She became pregnant last year.
Estar embarazada de X meses
Está embarazada de cuatro meses.
She is four months pregnant.
Estar embarazada de gemelos
Está embarazada de gemelos.
She is pregnant with twins.
Prueba de embarazo
Compró una prueba de embarazo.
She bought a pregnancy test.
Durante el embarazo
Descansó mucho durante el embarazo.
She rested a lot during the pregnancy.
Is embarazo the noun form of embarazada?
Yes, in the pregnancy meaning.
El embarazo means “pregnancy.”
Remember that it is a masculine noun: el embarazo, not la embarazo.
Common Mistakes with Embarazada
Mistake 1: Translating by appearance
Normally suggests: “I am pregnant because I made a mistake.”
Estoy avergonzada porque cometí un error.
I’m embarrassed because I made a mistake.
Mistake 2: Changing only the gender ending
Not the safe basic translation of “I’m embarrassed.”
Estoy avergonzado.
I’m embarrassed.
Mistake 3: Confusing the person and the situation
Estoy avergonzado.
I’m embarrassed.
Situation:
Es una situación embarazosa.
It is an awkward or embarrassing situation.
Mistake 4: Using avergonzado for every kind of discomfort
Sometimes the person is not ashamed or embarrassed; the person simply feels tense or uncomfortable.
Me siento incómodo aquí.
I feel uncomfortable here.
Mistake 5: Forgetting adjective agreement
He is embarrassed.
Ella está avergonzada.
She is embarrassed.
Ellos están avergonzados.
They are embarrassed.
Ellas están avergonzadas.
They are embarrassed.
There seem to be many possible translations. How do I choose quickly while speaking?
Ask yourself what is central:
Are you pregnant, ashamed, socially self-conscious, shy about doing something, or simply uncomfortable?
Once you identify the feeling, the Spanish expression becomes much easier to choose.
Which Spanish Expression Should You Use?
“I’m pregnant.”
Estoy embarazada.
“I’m embarrassed.”
Estoy avergonzado/a.
“I feel embarrassed.”
Me siento avergonzado/a.
“I’m embarrassed to ask.”
Me da vergüenza preguntar.
“I felt embarrassed.”
Me dio vergüenza.
“How embarrassing!”
¡Qué vergüenza!
“I feel uncomfortable.”
Me siento incómodo/a.
“It was an awkward situation.”
Fue una situación embarazosa.
Natural Conversation Examples
Conversation 1: A pronunciation mistake
I pronounced her name incorrectly in front of everyone.
B: No te preocupes.
Don’t worry.
A: Pero me dio mucha vergüenza.
But I was very embarrassed.
Conversation 2: Asking a question
Why don’t you ask him?
B: Me da vergüenza.
I’m too embarrassed. / I feel shy.
Conversation 3: Feeling uncomfortable
Are you okay?
B: Sí, pero me siento incómoda con tantas preguntas personales.
Yes, but I feel uncomfortable with so many personal questions.
Conversation 4: Pregnancy announcement
I have something important to tell you.
B: ¿Qué pasó?
What happened?
A: Estoy embarazada.
I’m pregnant.
Can you give me one final rule that will stop me from making this mistake?
Yes.
When you see embarazada, think pregnancy.
When you want to describe emotional embarrassment, begin with avergonzado/a or vergüenza.
Frequently Asked Questions About Embarazada
What does embarazada mean in Spanish?
Embarazada normally means “pregnant.” For example, Ella está embarazada means “She is pregnant.”
Does embarazada mean embarrassed?
Not in the normal everyday sense learners intend. Although dictionaries record a secondary meaning related to being inhibited or uncomfortable, embarazada is overwhelmingly associated with pregnancy in ordinary conversation.
How do you say “I’m embarrassed” in Spanish?
A direct translation is Estoy avergonzado for a male speaker or Estoy avergonzada for a female speaker.
How do you say “I feel embarrassed” in Spanish?
You can say Me siento avergonzado/a. You can also use Me da vergüenza when a situation or action makes you feel embarrassed.
What does estoy embarazada mean?
Estoy embarazada normally means “I am pregnant.” It does not normally mean “I am embarrassed.”
Can a man say estoy embarazado?
The sentence is grammatically possible, but it is not the normal translation of “I am embarrassed.” Depending on context, listeners may interpret it as a joke, a pregnancy statement, or an uncommon sense connected with constraint. To say “I am embarrassed,” use Estoy avergonzado.
What is the noun for pregnancy in Spanish?
The noun is el embarazo. For example, durante el embarazo means “during pregnancy.”
What is the difference between avergonzado and incómodo?
Avergonzado/a focuses on embarrassment or shame. Incómodo/a focuses on discomfort, tension, or not feeling at ease.
Does embarazoso mean embarrassing?
Embarazoso/a can describe something awkward, uncomfortable, difficult, or embarrassing. For example, una situación embarazosa can mean “an awkward or embarrassing situation.”
Pregnant or Embarrassed? A 30-Second Check
Find out what you actually feel before you reach for embarazada — it almost never means what English speakers expect.
Estoy embarazada. The only safe use of this word.
Estoy avergonzado. Agrees with your own gender.
Me da verguenza preguntar.
Me siento incomodo con la pregunta.
Fue una situacion embarazosa.
※ Memory rule: embarazada has a baby in the middle of the word — see pregnancy first, not embarrassment.
Embarazada Meaning: Summary
Here is a summary of the meaning and usage of embarazada.
● Embarazada does not normally mean “embarrassed” in everyday conversation.
● “I’m embarrassed”:
Estoy avergonzado/a.
● “I feel embarrassed”:
Me siento avergonzado/a.
● “I’m embarrassed to…”:
Me da vergüenza + infinitive.
● “I felt embarrassed”:
Me dio vergüenza.
● “How embarrassing!”:
¡Qué vergüenza!
● “I feel uncomfortable”:
Me siento incómodo/a.
● Embarazoso/a:
awkward, uncomfortable, difficult, or embarrassing
● Embarazo:
pregnancy
False friends are difficult because they feel familiar.
You see a word such as embarazada, connect it with English embarrassed, and use it without stopping to check the meaning.
Instead, remember this pair together:
embarazada = pregnant
avergonzado/a = embarrassed or ashamed
Real Academia Española: embarazado, embarazada
Real Academia Española: embarazar
Real Academia Española: embarazo
Real Academia Española: avergonzar
Real Academia Española: vergüenza
Real Academia Española: embarazoso, embarazosa
Real Academia Española: incómodo, incómoda
Merriam-Webster: embarrass
Related Guide
This word is one of many Spanish words that look like English but mean something else. For the full picture, read our complete guide: Spanish False Friends: The Words That Trick English Speakers.
