to shame
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to shame
To cause someone to feel shame or embarrassment. This often happens unintentionally through one's own exemplary or superior behavior.
Seine Großzügigkeit beschämte mich, weil ich selbst so geizig gewesen war.
His generosity shamed me because I had been so stingy myself.
The verb 'beschämen' (to shame) is derived from the noun 'die Scham' (shame). The prefix 'be-' turns the feeling (shame) into an action: causing this feeling in someone else.
Sein Fleiß beschämte die fauleren Kollegen.
His diligence shamed the lazier colleagues.
'Beschämen' (to shame) is a transitive verb. The person who feels the shame is always in the accusative.
Deine unerwartete Hilfe hat mich tief beschämt.
Your unexpected help deeply shamed me.
The feeling of being shamed is often triggered by a positive or exemplary action. The reason is often introduced with the preposition 'durch' (through/by).
Er beschämte die anderen durch seine Ehrlichkeit.
He shamed the others by his honesty.
to embarrass
Blamieren and beschämen can both describe an embarrassing situation in front of others. Blamieren emphasizes that someone is exposed or made to look ridiculous and consequently loses respect. Beschämen, by contrast, emphasizes the feeling of shame or embarrassment, which can also arise unintentionally.
Sein besseres Ergebnis beschämte sie vor dem ganzen Team, obwohl er nichts sagen wollte.
His better result shamed her in front of the whole team, even though he did not mean to say anything.
Der Kollege blamierte sie vor dem ganzen Team mit seinem spöttischen Kommentar.
The colleague embarrassed her in front of the whole team with his mocking comment.
