Confusion about "embarazada" and its derivatives

Question

Hi there,

I was hoping to clear this up once and for all: "embarazada" means "pregnant", right? It doesn't mean "embarrassed"? I have seen so many different opinions on this, and even the dictionary says it means both. Also I was wondering about its derivatives...I have seen the word "embarazoso" used (I thought incorrectly) in a book translated into Spanish from English, to mean "embarrassing"...also "embarazar" means "to make pregnant" and "embarazo" refers to pregnancy, not "to embarrass" and "embarrassment", correct?

If all this is true and those translators are just wrong (as well as the dictionaries) what is the right way to say "embarrassing", etc.? I usually use the word "avergonzado" for "embarrassed", is this correct? I need help from a native speaker to clear this false-cognate confusion for me once and for all.

Thank you so much!!!

Answer 1

Hi Pumpkin,

You are so right... Here's a summary:

Embarazar - to impregnate

Embarazada - pregnant woman

Embarazoso -- embarrassing or shameful

To embarrass - avergonzar

To be embarrassed - sentirse avergonzado / avergonzarse

So "embarazoso" does mean embarrassing or shameful? That was where I was most confused since all its related words have to do with pregnancy... - PumpkinCalabaza, Oct 26, 2012

Yes. And that is probably the root of the problem. But that's just the way it is.. sorry! - francobollo, Oct 26, 2012

I see now...thank you so much for the clear answer!! - PumpkinCalabaza, Oct 26, 2012

Ahhhh...I see where that can be confusing! - --Mariana--, Oct 26, 2012

I think it stems from the embarrassment of being pregnant, especially out of wedlock. Just a thought, but is what I have always thought. Another note. Here in Mexico it is used both ways although pregnant is more common. - gringojrf, Oct 27, 2012

Answer 2

Embarazar is to make pregnant or to hinder, impede, get in the way of something, etc, but not to embarass or to shame.

embarazar.

(Del port. o leon. embaraçar, der. de baraça, lazo, quizá voz de or. celta; cf. irl. ant. barr, copete).

1. tr. Impedir, estorbar, retardar algo.

2. tr. Dejar encinta a una mujer.

3. prnl. Dicho de una mujer: Quedarse embarazada.

4. prnl. Quedar impedido con cualquier embarazo.

embarazoso, sa.

1. adj. Que embaraza e incomoda.

Real Academia Española © Todos los derechos reservados

So when you understand the true meanings of the word, you can see that there is actually a similarity among all the words cosidering that a pregnant woman can sometimes feel impeeded or bothered by being in this state.

Sometimes? First you feel sick for 3montsh, thenyou can hardly move for another 6, then you endure terrific pain..Julian, you've revealed yourself to be, truly, a man! - annierats, Oct 27, 2012

Annie, you truely are my goddess of humor! - 005faa61, Oct 27, 2012

Answer 3

There is also el embarazo- the pregnancy. Which, according to my dictionary, can mean the embarrassment as well.. Just to help you clarify everything. They give timidez as an option. I would go for the timidez, any day..

And embarazarse does not mean to inseminate yourself. I don't think it does, anyway.

Thanks for the answer!! :) - PumpkinCalabaza, Oct 27, 2012

De nada. He tenido dos hijos.. - annierats, Oct 27, 2012