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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.

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