# Is there a word for feeling embarrassed for someone else?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-feeling-embarrassed-for-someone-else/998851>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 14, 2024, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-feeling-embarrassed-for-someone-else/998851 "2024-03-14T23:52:13Z")\
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**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2024, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-feeling-embarrassed-for-someone-else/998851/26 "2024-03-15T13:37:25Z")

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> [@Quintas](#):
>
> Is there a word for that feeling?

There are words in German and Spanish, which I learned in [this thread.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/3336)

> **[German Word of the Day: Fremdschämen](https://www.thelocal.de/20181004/german-word-of-the-day-fremdsch)**
>
> Your friend has just committed a terrible social faux pas, and you can feel yourself blushing on their behalf. This describes the uniquely German word Fremdschämen.

> **[Spanish Sayings Vergüenza | Free Spanish Podcasts | LightSpeed Spanish](https://lightspeedspanish.co.uk/20130929-important-spanish-sayings-verguenza-ajena/)**
>
> Take a look at Vergüenza ajena, one of the frequently used Spanish sayings which means more than just shame or embarrassment. Come, learn more with us.

ETA: I see they’ve already been mentioned a couple of times but I provided links. 🕶

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