Embarazada vs. Avergonzada

The adjective embarazada in Spanish frequently puts English speakers in an uncomfortable situation since they often think embarazada means embarrassed. That is NOT TRUE! The word embarazada is actually a false friend (looks the same but has a different meaning) and means pregnant!

So are you pregnant or embarrassed?

If you want to say you are embarrassed you need to use the word avergonzado (for males) or avergonzada (for females).

Estoy embarazada = I am pregnant.

Estoy avergonzada = I am embarrassed (said by a woman)

Estoy muy avergonzado = I am very embarrassed (said by a man)

Try our interactive game online to practice the difference: Embarazada vs. Avergonzada

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Last Updated: 30 March 2010