vergogna

Vergogna is the Italian term for the emotion of shame or embarrassment, typically arising when a person believes they have violated a social norm or moral expectation. It can describe a private feeling of shame or the perception that others judge one’s actions as disgraceful, with possible social consequences such as loss of respect or status.

Etimologia: the word derives from Latin verēcundia, meaning modesty or decency, and evolved in Italian to denote the sense of pudore and social propriety that triggers self-restraint and remorse.

Uso e sfumature: Vergogna covers both private feelings and public judgment. It is used with reflexive verbs like vergognarsi to express feeling ashamed, and with transitive vergognare to cause shame in others. In discourse, it can regulate behavior by appealing to norms of propriety or honor; it may refer to a single person or to collective shame, as in a public scandal.

Aspetti psicologici e culturali: In psychology, vergogna is often treated as a self-conscious emotion akin to shame, focusing on perceived social evaluation rather than on specific wrongdoing. In Italian and broader Mediterranean contexts, the sense of family reputation and communal norms can magnify the impact of vergogna, influencing social interaction and moral discourse.

Termini correlati: imbarazzo (temporary embarrassment), disonore (disgrace), pudore (modesty). In everyday language, the word is versatile, capable of signaling personal remorse, social disapproval, or a combination of both.