Fremdschämen

Fremdschämen

Definition:

Fremdschämen is a German word that describes the feeling of embarrassment or shame experienced on behalf of someone else. It’s the emotional response to witnessing someone else’s awkward or humiliating situation.

Opposite:

The opposite of Fremdschämen is Schadenfreude, which is the feeling of joy or pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.

Synonyms:

• Peinlich berührt
• Unangenehm berührt

Examples:

1. I felt a strong sense of Fremdschämen when my friend gave an awkward speech at the party.
2. The TV show was so cringeworthy that I couldn’t help but experience Fremdschämen for the characters.
3. There’s nothing worse than watching someone embarrass themselves in public and feeling that sense of Fremdschämen creeping in.\ Visit YouGlish.com