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"Pena" is a form of "pena", a noun which is often translated as "pity". "Vergüenza" is a noun which is often translated as "embarrassment". Learn more about the difference between "pena" and "vergüenza" below.
la pena(
peh
-
nah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (sympathy)
c. sad (adjective)
Sentí mucha pena cuando se murió mi actor preferido.I felt really sad when my favorite actor died.
Me da mucha pena verlos partir.It makes me so sad to see them leave.
2. (sadness)
a. sorrow
Comparto la pena de los afectados por el terrorismo.I share the sorrow of those affected by terrorism.
4. (legal)
6. (humiliation) (Caribbean) (Central America) (Colombia) (Mexico)
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Colombia
Regionalism used in Mexico
la vergüenza(
behr
-
gwehn
-
sah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (ignominy)
a. embarrassment
Nunca he sentido tanta vergüenza antes. Por favor, escóndeme.I have never felt such embarrassment before. Please hide me.
2. (indignity)
a. shame
De la manera que actúa, parece que no tiene vergüenza.From the way he's acting, it's like he has no shame.
a. shyness
Ella no tiene una pizca de vergüenza en su cuerpo; habla con cualquier persona.She doesn't have an ounce of shyness in her body; she talks to anyone.
