spanish shame
/ˈspænɪʃ ʃeɪm/
UncommonThe acute embarrassment felt on behalf of someone else, especially a stranger, often to the point of physical discomfort.
The 'Spanish' in the name refers to the Spanish-language concept, not any cultural trait. It's used online as a more vivid or intense alternative to 'second-hand embarrassment.'
Real-world examples3 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | this comment section is giving me spanish shame | Reading the comments is embarrassing to witness even as an outsider. | x, 2023 |
| 02 | i learned about 'verguenza ajena' and finally had a word for what i feel watching reality tv | The speaker discovered the Spanish concept and it precisely named their experience. | tumblr |
| 03 | peak spanish shame watching him try to explain the joke after nobody laughed | Watching someone make it worse by doubling down is generating intense vicarious discomfort. |
Use it when
- Someone online is embarrassing themselves and doesn't realize it.
- You want a stronger or more specific term than 'second-hand embarrassment.'
- The embarrassment is so intense it becomes almost physical.
Do not use it when
- You feel embarrassed about your own actions.
- You want a well-known term most people will immediately recognize.Use “second-hand embarrassment” instead.
Spanish shame vs second-hand embarrassment
spanish shame
Spanish shame implies a more intense, almost physical reaction and a specific cultural concept origin.
VS
second-hand-embarrassment
Second-hand embarrassment is the common everyday English phrase for the same feeling.
Origin and context
Translated from the Spanish 'verguenza ajena,' a concept common in Spanish-speaking cultures. Began circulating in English-speaking internet communities as a borrowed term for vicarious embarrassment.
- First seen
- 2010s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/spanish-shameUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0