imbarazzo
embarrassment
noun eem-bah-RAHT-tsoh Rare
Origin: From Spanish embarazo, from embarazar ('to entangle').
Also means
awkwardness
Usage Note
Imbarazzo is a false friend in the opposite direction from English: the Spanish embarazo means 'pregnancy', but Italian imbarazzo never does — it means embarrassment or an awkward situation. The phrase mettere in imbarazzo means 'to embarrass someone'. Note the double 'r' and double 'z' — both are held consonants in pronunciation.
Examples
"Ho arrossito per l'imbarazzo davanti a tutti."
Natural Translation
I blushed with embarrassment in front of everyone.
Literal Translation
I have blushed for the-embarrassment in-front-of all.
Related Words
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