Imbarazzato

Imbarazzato is an Italian adjective and the past participle of the transitive verb imbarazzare. It denotes a state of embarrassment, discomfort, or awkwardness experienced by a person. The form agrees with gender and number: imbarazzato (masculine singular), imbarazzata (feminine singular), imbarazzati (masculine plural), imbarazzate (feminine plural).

In use, imbarazzato describes how someone feels: “Mi sento imbarazzato” means “I feel embarrassed.” It can also describe someone who is made to feel awkward by a situation. When referring to something that causes embarrassment, the related adjective imbarazzante is used, meaning “embarrassing.”

Grammatical note: imbarazzare is transitive, so past participles with avere do not always agree with the subject; however, with essere or in passive constructions, agreement follows the subject, e.g., “Sono rimasto imbarazzato.” The noun form is imbarazzo, meaning “embarrassment.”

Usage considerations: imbarazzato covers personal emotional state and can describe temporary discomfort in social settings, performances, or unexpected questions. Imbarazzante refers to things or situations that provoke embarrassment. The reflexive verb imbarazzarsi expresses the act of becoming or feeling embarrassed.

See also: imbarazzo, imbarazzante, imbarazzarsi.