Imbarazziamo

Imbarazziamo is the first-person plural presente indicativo of the Italian transitive verb imbarazzare. The verb means to embarrass someone, to cause them to feel awkward or uncomfortable, or to create a socially disconcerting situation. It can be used transitively, taking a direct object, as in noi imbarazziamo qualcuno, or reflexively in the related verb imbarazzarsi, which means to become embarrassed oneself.

Etymology and form. Imbarazzare derives from imbarazzo, the noun for embarrassment or awkwardness. The prefix im- conveys causation or intensification, so imbarazzare literally means “to cause embarrassment.” The related reflexive form imbarazzarsi expresses the subject’s own feeling of embarrassment. Other related expressions include mettere in imbarazzo (to put someone in an awkward position) and sentirsi in imbarazzo (to feel embarrassed).

Usage and nuances. Imbarazzare is common in both formal and informal Italian. It emphasizes the act of causing discomfort or awkwardness in others, rather than merely describing an internal feeling. It can describe interpersonal interactions, public speaking, or media interviews where questions, remarks, or events provoke embarrassment. The term is often interchangeable with phrases like mettere in imbarazzo or far sentire a disagio, though imbarazzare carries a stronger sense of active pressure on the recipient.

Examples. Noi imbarazziamo i nostri ospiti con domande troppo personali. La domanda imbarazza l’oratore. Durante l’intervista, le risposte non pronte hanno imbarazzato l’intervistatore. Ci imbarazziamo di fronte a un errore pubblico.

See also. imbarazzo, imbarazzarsi.