tener vergüenza

to be shy

tener vergüenza(teh-nehr behr-gwehn-sah)

intransitive verb phrase

1. (to be timid)

a. to be shy

No tengan vergüenza de preguntar, que yo estoy aquí para resolver sus dudas.

Don't be shy to ask. I'm here to resolve your doubts.

b. to be embarrassed

Este niño tiene mucha vergüenza. Solo con mirarlo se pone rojo como un tomate.

This boy is very easily embarrassed. You just look at him, and he turns as red as a beetroot.

2. (to feel shame)

a. to be ashamed

No tengas vergüenza de pedir ayuda si la necesitas.

Don't be ashamed to ask for help if you need it.

b. to be embarrassed

Tengo vergüenza por haber perdido los estribos.

I'm embarrassed that I lost my temper.

3. (to have dignity)

a. to have shame

Son gente que no tiene vergüenza alguna. Si no, ¿cómo te explicas que actúen así?

They're people who have no shame whatsoever. Otherwise, how do you explain that they behave like that?

b. to have got shame

¿Cómo se atreve a hablarme así? Lo que tiene es muy poca vergüenza.

How does he dare speak to me like that? His problem is that he has got no shame.

c. to have a sense of shame

Si tuvieras un ápice de vergüenza, al menos nos devolverías el dinero que nos quitaste.

If you'd the slightest sense of shame, you'd at least return the money you took from us.

d.

no direct translation

No entiendo que esos políticos acusados de fraude no tengan al menos la vergüenza de dimitir.

I can't understand how those politicians who've been accused of fraud are so utterly shameless as to not even resign.

Ese hombre no tiene vergüenza. ¡Presentarse aquí, sin más, después de todo lo que le hizo pasar a mi madre!

That man is shameless. To turn up here just like that, after everything he put my mother through!