wstydzić się
to be ashamed, to feel embarrassed
Intermediate Verb
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Pronunciation
/ˈfstɨd͡ʑit͡ɕ ɕɛ/
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Cultural Note
'Wstydź się!' (Shame on you!) is a strong reprimand in Polish, often used by parents. In contrast, 'nie wstydź się' (don't be shy/ashamed) is a gentle encouragement. Polish culture traditionally valued modesty, so wstydzenie się of one's achievements was once considered proper behavior.
📝 Example Sentences
Nie wstydź się swoich uczuć.
Don't be ashamed of your feelings.
Wstydził się poprosić ją o taniec.
He was too embarrassed to ask her to dance.
Nie ma czego się wstydzić.
There's nothing to be ashamed of.