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Phrases › Flirting in Italian › Mi metti in imbarazzo quando mi guardi così.
B1informal

Mi metti in imbarazzo quando mi guardi così.

You embarrass me when you look at me like that.

Pronunciation

mi MET-ti in im-ba-RAZ-zo kwan-do mi GUAR-di ko-ZI — stress on 'met-', 'raz-', 'guar-', 'zi'. 'Imbarazzo' has four syllables: im-ba-RAZ-zo.

When to use it

Said when someone's gaze is making you blush or feel shy — a playful acknowledgement of mutual attraction.

What it means

'Mi metti in imbarazzo' = you embarrass me / you make me uncomfortable in a warm way. 'Quando mi guardi così' = when you look at me like that. 'Così' = like that, in this way. The phrase is a flirtatious complaint — you are not actually upset.

Variations

Smettila di guardarmi così — mi fai arrossire.

Stop looking at me like that — you're making me blush.

'Arrossire' = to blush — a physical response that signals genuine reaction

Con quello sguardo non riesco a stare seria/o.

With that look I can't stay serious.

Losing composure is a sign of genuine attraction

Perché mi guardi con quegli occhi?

Why do you look at me with those eyes?

'Quegli occhi' — 'those eyes' — implies the gaze is special and affecting

Mini Dialogue

— Mi metti in imbarazzo quando mi guardi così. — Non volevo. — Sì che volevi. — Forse un po'. Stai benissimo — è difficile non guardarti.

— You embarrass me when you look at me like that. — I didn't mean to. — Yes you did. — Maybe a little. You look wonderful — it's hard not to look at you.

Cultural Note

Blushing ('arrossire') is seen as charming and genuine in Italian culture — it is evidence of real feeling rather than composure. Pointing it out playfully creates intimacy and acknowledges the effect you are having on each other without saying it directly.