Also means
shy
Usage Note
Vergonzoso has two distinct senses that learners must not confuse: applied to a situation or act it means 'shameful' or 'disgraceful' (una conducta vergonzosa), but applied to a person it means 'shy' or 'bashful' (es muy vergonzoso, 'he is very shy'). Context is essential. The noun vergüenza covers both 'shame' and 'shyness', which is the source of this dual meaning.
Examples
"Su comportamiento en la reunión fue vergonzoso."
Natural Translation
His behavior at the meeting was shameful.

Free starter pack
Building your Spanish vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore Spanish by topic
SpanishNow
6 min read
SpanishNow
6 min read