Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
pena ajena
English translation:
feel embarassed for someone
Added to glossary by
Language Connection
Jan 29, 2015 16:39
9 yrs ago
4 viewers *
Spanish term
Panama
Translations, Interpretations, Video Sub
Native in: Spanish 
Works in: English to Spanish, Spanish to English, Spanish to Portuguese, and 1 more.
pena ajena
Spanish to English
Other
Social Science, Sociology, Ethics, etc.
Expressions, Idioms
This phrase in Spanish means you feel embarrassed for the other person. i.e. your colleague did something that embarrasses you somehow. I'm taking the opportunity of posting this KudoZ question to also if anyone has a good link with spanish to english idioms.
"Toda esta situaciòn de la demanda legal me da pena ajena"
"Toda esta situaciòn de la demanda legal me da pena ajena"
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +4 | feel embarassed for someone |
David Heim
|
| 4 +3 | cringe |
neilmac
|
| 3 +1 | second hand embarrassment |
Jane Martin
|
| 4 | empathy for someone else |
Francois Boye
|
Proposed translations
+4
1 hr
David Heim
Peru
Peru
Native in Spanish
&
English
Specializes in field
Peru
Quality for you and your business
Native in: English 
, Spanish
Works in: Spanish to English, English to Spanish
Related KudoZ points
:
8
Selected
feel embarassed for someone
If it means the same as "verguenza agena" - per Oxford Spanish-English Dictionary
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
neilmac
: = it makes you cringe
1 hr
|
|
thanks
|
|
| agree |
Muriel Vasconcellos
2 hrs
|
|
thanks
|
|
| agree |
Michele Fauble
2 hrs
|
|
thanks
|
|
| agree |
Reed James
: ajena con j
4 hrs
|
| neutral |
Yvonne Gallagher
: Jane already suggested this...
1 day 5 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you. I think this one nails it "
+3
7 mins
cringe
cringe·wor·thy/ˈkrin(d)ZHˌwərT͟Hē/
adjective
causing feelings of embarrassment or awkwardness.
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Note added at 9 mins (2015-01-29 16:48:34 GMT)
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When you are embarrassed for some, the usual term in Spain is ""vergüenza ajena".
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=170343
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Note added at 11 mins (2015-01-29 16:50:23 GMT)
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Sorry, that should read "embarrassed someone else"... my keypad's been doing this recently.
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Note added at 11 mins (2015-01-29 16:50:56 GMT)
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"This whole litigation scenario makes me cringe"...
adjective
causing feelings of embarrassment or awkwardness.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 mins (2015-01-29 16:48:34 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
When you are embarrassed for some, the usual term in Spain is ""vergüenza ajena".
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=170343
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 mins (2015-01-29 16:50:23 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Sorry, that should read "embarrassed someone else"... my keypad's been doing this recently.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 mins (2015-01-29 16:50:56 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
"This whole litigation scenario makes me cringe"...
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Natalia Pedrosa
2 mins
|
|
Cheers Natalia :)
|
|
| agree |
Carol Gullidge
: cringe on s.o. else's behalf or just for s.o. else. The Asker is quite clear that embarrassment and not sorrow is what the text is about
33 mins
|
|
You know that I know, and we know that he... ;)
|
|
| agree |
Karen Dinicola
44 mins
|
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Cheers KP :-)
|
|
| neutral |
Muriel Vasconcellos
: Since one can also cringe on one's own behalf, I'm not sure this works.
3 hrs
|
|
I just provide the bare bones; "cringe" can be used in several ways and forms. A native speaker should have the options at his/her fingertips.
|
+1
11 mins
second hand embarrassment
I have to own up to never saying this myself but have a look here:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=secondhand em...
I would be more like to say '"I feel really embarrassed for X" which is not as neat as the Spanish.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=secondhand em...
I would be more like to say '"I feel really embarrassed for X" which is not as neat as the Spanish.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Yvonne Gallagher
: Yes, either one. In Dublin people used to say "I'm scarlet for..." though haven't heard it for a while
14 mins
|
5 hrs
Francois Boye
United States
United States
United States
An economic geek with social skills
Native in: French
Works in: English to French, French to English, Spanish to English, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
24
empathy for someone else
empathy captures the ability to feel whatever other people are feeling
Discussion
Fremdschämen = exterior shame
If it's the former, could we have some more context? What does it say before and after this? Why should the person feel embarrassment, and who are they feeling it for?
And if it's the latter, haven't you answered your own question? Feel embarrassed for?