pena
sorrow, grief; embarrassment (Latin America)
Beginner Noun Feminine
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Pronunciation
/ˈpe.na/
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Cultural Note
Pena is fascinatingly versatile. In Spain, it primarily means sadness or pity ('¡qué pena!' = what a shame!). In Mexico and parts of Latin America, 'me da pena' also means 'I'm embarrassed' or 'I feel shy.' This regional difference can cause confusion. 'Valer la pena' (to be worth it) uses the word in yet another way.
📝 Example Sentences
Me da mucha pena verte triste.
It makes me very sad to see you upset.
¡Qué pena que no pudimos vernos ayer!
What a pity that we couldn't see each other yesterday!
No tengas pena, dime lo que sientes.
Don't be shy, tell me what you feel.