estigma
nounCEFR B2
What does “estigma” mean in English?
stigma
stigma (a mark of disgrace or discredit attached to a person, condition, or group that causes social exclusion)
Example sentences
El estigma asociado a los trastornos de salud mental sigue siendo uno de los principales obstáculos para que las personas busquen ayuda.
The stigma associated with mental health disorders remains one of the main obstacles to people seeking help.
Superar el estigma que pesa sobre ciertas profesiones requiere cambiar las representaciones culturales que las rodean.
Overcoming the stigma that weighs on certain professions requires changing the cultural representations that surround them.
How to use it
El estigma means 'stigma' — a mark of disgrace or social shame attached to a person, group, or condition, causing exclusion or discrimination. The word entered Spanish from Greek via Latin and retains a strong connotation of branding — a mark that sticks. At B2 it is most frequently encountered in discussions of mental health, HIV/AIDS, addiction, poverty, and race: el estigma asociado a, superar el estigma, cargar con el estigma, el estigma social. The verb estigmatizar (to stigmatise) and the adjective estigmatizado/a are closely linked. It differs from prejuicio (personal prejudgement) and discriminación (active unequal treatment) — estigma is the social label itself.
Common mistake
Estigma (the social label of shame — what society attaches to a group) vs prejuicio (personal preconceived judgement) vs discriminación (active unequal treatment). All three are related but distinct: estigma is the mark, prejuicio is the attitude, discriminación is the act.