Meaning 1neutral · 82%
To feel ashamed because of one’s own behavior or situation.
Natural examples
Ich schäme mich für meine unhöfliche Antwort.
I am ashamed of my rude reply.
Er schämte sich, seinen Fehler zuzugeben.
He was ashamed to admit his mistake.
Sie hat sich vor den Gästen für das Chaos geschämt.
She felt embarrassed about the mess before the guests.
Usage note
Schämen is obligatorily reflexive in this sense: sich für + accusative, wegen + genitive, or vor + dative. Its principal parts include sich; the perfect uses haben.
Mini-lesson: schämen
To feel ashamed because of one’s own behavior or situation. Schämen is obligatorily reflexive in this sense: sich für + accusative, wegen + genitive, or vor + dative. Its principal parts include sich; the perfect uses haben.
Check your learning
Choose one answer.Which definition matches «schämen»?