ofender
verbCEFR B2
What does “ofender” mean in English?
to offend, to upset
to offend, to upset (ofender a alguien — cause someone to feel insulted, hurt, or morally outraged)
Example sentences
Sus comentarios ofendieron a muchos asistentes.
His comments offended many attendees.
Se ofendió fácilmente cuando alguien critica su trabajo.
She takes offence easily when someone criticises her work.
No era mi intención ofenderte con esa pregunta.
It was not my intention to offend you with that question.
How to use it
ofender means 'to offend' — to cause offence to someone. The reflexive ofenderse means 'to take offence'. Note that in Spanish, the person offended is the direct object of the non-reflexive form: Las palabras la ofendieron (His words offended her).
Common mistake
English 'I was offended' is me ofendí or me sentí ofendido/a — the reflexive or passive construction. Using the non-reflexive *fui ofendido is less natural.