Imbarazzo

Imbarazzo is a masculine Italian noun that denotes a state of embarrassment, awkwardness, or a difficult, uncomfortable situation. It can refer to a personal feeling of discomfort in social interactions or to a situational predicament in which one feels unable to act freely. In usage, imbarazzo often implies temporary unease rather than moral shame.

The term is used in several common expressions. L imbarazzo della scelta describes the dilemma created by having too many options. The phrase in imbarazzo means in an awkward or difficult position. Verbal forms related to imbarazzo include the verb imbarazzare (to embarrass) and the reflexive imbarazzarsi (to become embarrassed). Adjectives derived from the noun include imbarazzante (embarrassing, awkward) and imbarazzato (embarrassed).

Grammatical notes: the word is masculine, with singular l’imbarazzo and plural gli imbarazzi. It is frequently used in both informal and formal registers, and can appear in news, literature, and everyday speech to describe social discomfort, confusion, or a lack of easy options.

Usage context and nuance: imbarazzo contrasts with terms like vergogna (shame) and disagio (discomfort) by focusing on situational embarrassment or awkwardness rather than moral judgment. It can arise from a surprising question, an improvised social moment, or conflicting obligations, rather than from a personal fault.

Etymology: the noun derives from barazzo, meaning obstacle or hindrance, with the prefix im- indicating a state or condition. The form has been part of Italian since the Middle Ages. Related concepts include imbarazzante, imbarazzato, and phrases such as l’imbarazzo della scelta.