How to Say ‘Feel Embarrassed’ and ‘Embarrass Yourself’ in Portuguese — Practice
A guided practice lesson with English explanations, Brazilian Portuguese examples, and answers you can check. Read the examples, recall the meaning, then say a version of your own.
Use passar vergonha for an embarrassing moment
Passar vergonha means to go through an embarrassing situation or, in some contexts, to embarrass yourself. The focus is on what happened in front of other people. It often sounds more vivid than simply saying that you felt shy.
The phrase can be playful among friends, but it may also criticize someone. If you are describing your own mistake, context and a light tone can keep the sentence from sounding harsh.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Passei vergonha quando esqueci o nome do professor. | I was embarrassed when I forgot the teacher’s name. |
| Ele passou vergonha no karaokê, mas todo mundo riu junto. | He embarrassed himself at karaoke, but everyone laughed along. |
| Não quero passar vergonha na apresentação. | I don’t want to embarrass myself in the presentation. |
Use ficar com vergonha to name the feeling
Ficar com vergonha describes becoming or feeling embarrassed in a moment. Ter vergonha can describe a general feeling, shyness, or reluctance. These expressions focus more directly on the person’s internal reaction than passar vergonha.
The preposition matters: ficar com vergonha is the common pattern. Avoid translating ‘I am embarrassed’ word for word as eu sou envergonhado unless you mean a more lasting characteristic.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Fiquei com vergonha de perguntar. | I felt embarrassed to ask. |
| Ela tem vergonha de falar em público. | She is shy about speaking in public. |
| Não precisa ficar com vergonha; pode perguntar. | You don’t need to feel embarrassed; you can ask. |
Remember: Passar vergonha frames an embarrassing event; ficar com vergonha names a feeling in the moment; ter vergonha can describe a general feeling or shyness.
Check your understanding
Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.
Recall the Portuguese, then say it
Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.
I was embarrassed when I forgot the teacher’s name.
Show a Portuguese answer
Passei vergonha quando esqueci o nome do professor.
He embarrassed himself at karaoke, but everyone laughed along.
Show a Portuguese answer
Ele passou vergonha no karaokê, mas todo mundo riu junto.
I don’t want to embarrass myself in the presentation.
Show a Portuguese answer
Não quero passar vergonha na apresentação.
I felt embarrassed to ask.
Show a Portuguese answer
Fiquei com vergonha de perguntar.
She is shy about speaking in public.
Show a Portuguese answer
Ela tem vergonha de falar em público.
You don’t need to feel embarrassed; you can ask.
Show a Portuguese answer
Não precisa ficar com vergonha; pode perguntar.
Make the phrase useful to you
Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.
Passar vergonha frames an embarrassing event; ficar com vergonha names a feeling in the moment; ter vergonha can describe a general feeling or shyness.
Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.
Sources and your next lesson
This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our How to Say ‘Feel Embarrassed’ and ‘Embarrass Yourself’ in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.
To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.
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