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Word of the week: das Fremdschämen

Updated: Mar 6, 2021

(das) Fremdschämen

        noun: (literally) exterior shame


This word is used to refer to the feeling of embarrassment you might get on account of others’ behaviour, the cringe factor when someone makes a fool of themselves. It is sometimes referred to in English as 'second-hand embarrassment'.

  • Sie schämte sich, wenn sie ihre Mutter auf der Party tanzen gesehen hat, deshalb verfiel sie dann in einen Zustand des Fremdschämens. = She was ashamed when she saw her mother dancing at the party, so she fell into a state of embarrassment.

A girl looking embarrassed. Photo: Alberto Adán via Pixabay

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