vergüenza

Vergüenza is a Spanish noun describing the painful self-conscious emotion that arises when a person perceives that their actions, appearance, or situation violate social norms, propriety, or moral expectations. It can manifest as embarrassment, mortification, or a sense of dishonor, and it often motivates self-correction or withdrawal. In psychology, vergüenza is commonly discussed alongside related concepts such as shame and embarrassment, with emphasis on the social and self-evaluative aspects of the feeling.

A common everyday expression is vergüenza ajena, which refers to the embarrassment one feels on behalf of another person’s behavior. The reflexive verb avergonzarse means to become ashamed oneself, while dar vergüenza or sentir vergüenza expresses that something causes one to feel shame or embarrassment. The intensity of the emotion can vary from mild discomfort to profound humiliation, depending on context, culture, and personal sensitivity.

Etymologically, the term is of Spanish origin and is related to the verb vergonzar (to shame). It has cognates in other Romance languages and derives from Latin roots connected to notions of shaming and social propriety.

Culturally, vergüenza functions as a social regulator in many Spanish-speaking communities, reinforcing norms around behavior, modesty, and family honor. It can promote polite conduct and self-restraint, but excessive or punitive use of the feeling can contribute to social anxiety or stigmatization. The concept is often linked to ideas of saving face and interpersonal reputation in social life.