guilt trip in tagalog meaning

Guilt Trip: A Common Toxic Tactic in Filipino Families

• by Kevyn Gohu
• June 8, 2023

When Filipino parents can’t get their kids to follow them, they sometimes employ the toxic tactic known as guilt-tripping .

“ Maawa naman kayo sa akin ,” “ I never complain when you ask me to do things for you!”, “Sige, bahala ka sa buhay mo!” — if ever we catch ourselves saying these things to our kids or recall that our parents once used statements on us, there’s a name for that tactic. We call it The Guilt Trip; it’s a tactic that sometimes our elders (or sometimes, even we) subconsciously use against our children to force them to comply. But Many Filipino families may feel that this technique is harmless, attributing it to teaching Utang na Loob .

However, there’s a deeper, darker, and more manipulative side to this. It starts out with small requests before developing into more sensitive demands, including ones about money.

What does it mean to “Guilt Trip” someone?

Emotions serve as a motive behind every person’s actions. Happiness, sadness, anger, and even spite can drive even the most collected people to take drastic measures, especially when they’ve certainly had enough. Guilt, being one of the stronger emotions, can also serve as a powerful influencer. Because it’s mixed with feelings of self-loathing and shame, the social element behind guilt makes it even more persuasive as a motive.

Guilt Trip, from the name itself, weaponizes the individual’s shame to persuade them to do something. When a person uses a favor they once did for a person to persuade, it creates “mental debt.” We now feel that because they did something for us, we’re obligated to pay them back. It transforms gratitude into the proverbial “shackle” when constantly used, conditioning a person to believe that the other person’s needs matter more than theirs.

Unfortunately, it hits Filipinos hard because of their core value of hiya or shame (Bulatao, 1964; Lasquety-Reyes, 2016). Being highly aware of how denying the request will affect their social image, many of them prefer simply saying “yes” to avoid causing stress and drama in the family.

How Filipino families use this technique

The Guilt Trip technique is most common in Filipino families, most especially immigrant ones (Li, 2022). While the hardships of migrating the whole family are nothing to laugh at , the unprocessed emotions can make those who suffered create bargaining chips out of those moments. Especially when influenced by the need for a strong family identity through filial piety, some Filipino elders use this technique because of their fear of losing their place in the family. These quarrels often happen in the family room of the house, with statements like these flying around:

• “Wala kang utang na loob !” / “You have no sense of gratitude!”
• “Sige, gawin mo lang! ” / “Go ahead, do it!”
• “ Ginawa ko ang lahat para sa pamilya na ito at ito lang ang bibigyan mo sa akin!?” / “I’ve done everything for this family and this is what I get!?”

But not all Guilt Trip techniques are loud. Some are more covert, which we dub the “Cold War” style. No yelling, screaming, or explicit shaming but, the silence will say it all. Filipino parents do this with each other when they feel unappreciated and the usual casualty here are the kids. From using the kids as mouth-pieces or constantly calling the kid’s away when the other parent wants to spend time with them for no urgent reason, these are multiple ways we may be doing it to our partners. Although, we don’t see the effects immediately. But the signs will show in our kids’ friendships and even their romantic relationships in the long run.

The Impact The Guilt Trip Tactic Has On Kids

Every so often, we will resort to using the Guilt Trip to get what we want. But when used constantly, it can have profound effects on our kids’ emotional and mental development. Because guilt is an emotion strongly tied to being abandoned and rejected, children can develop in three ways: they can either be hyper-independent, extremely people-pleasing or become manipulative themselves.

While there is nothing wrong with raising independent children, making them hyper-independent means they are so self-reliant that they will see any form of help or compassion as a sign of weakness — even from us, their own parents! They will also constantly repress their emotions because this allows them to avoid two things: feelings of guilt when they fail someone and fear of the possibility of being rejected (Nleko, 2022).

On the other hand, people-pleasing also achieves the same objective but with different methods: by creating a highly generous persona. Constantly offering help, a willing ear to listen to people’s problems, and even solving the problem for others (even when they are clearly not capable) — these are all in avoiding the guilt by creating a socially acceptable and lovable appearance. They feel that this reduces the chances of people abandoning or rejecting them (Goodenough, Waite, and Bartlett, 2015).

The worst-case scenario, however, is when they become the manipulators themselves . Developing what many loosely call a “narcissistic” personality (Bleiberg, 1984; Pincus, Cain, and Wright, 2014). While Bleiberg’s study demonstrates that some genetic mutations in the brain can make kids narcissistic, more recent studies support that these are learned behaviors. When kids see their parents using this technique on one another with favorable results, they learn, “Hey, I can do this with people and get what I want!”

How do we stop guilt-tripping others and vice-versa?

While it’s socially difficult and taxing to convince an older relative to stop such a toxic tactic in Filipino families, younger generations can start by working on a different way to view mistakes and boundaries. Not all boundaries are inflexible; there are some people who are willing to negotiate. Building the patience to explain and negotiate why there’s a certain need can lessen the guilt trip. That way, the relative can make an informed decision without resentment.

Compassion motivates just as well as guilt!

While many older members of Filipino families believe that shame and guilt are the best way to keep the family together because it makes them think about others, it does not work the same way when one becomes strong enough and determined enough to break away from it. And although guilt can persuade people to do things, they’ll feel more that they “had to do it” instead of wanting to do it. So before we try to shame and guilt trip people into something, remember that nobody can force them to do that. Not even God.

Bulatao, J. C. (1964). Hiya.  Philippine Studies ,  12 (3), 424-438.

Bleiberg, E. (1984). Narcissistic disorders in children.  Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic ,  48 (6), 501-517.

Goodenough, A., Waite, S., & Bartlett, J. (2015). Families in the forest: guilt trips, bonding moments and potential springboards.  Annals of Leisure Research ,  18 (3), 377-396.

Lasquety-Reyes, J. (2016). In defense of hiya as a Filipino virtue.  Asian philosophy ,  26 (1), 66-78.

Nleko, G. (2022).  Women’s Experience of Intermittent Father Absence: Healing, Resilience, and Coping with Ambiguous Loss  (Doctoral dissertation, Alliant International University).

Li, M. (2022). Guilt and compensation: The interplay between maternal emotions and parent–child relationships in migrant families.  Family Relations .

Pincus, A. L., Cain, N. M., & Wright, A. G. (2014). Narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability in psychotherapy.  Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment ,  5 (4), 439.

More Real Talk:

Sunshine Dizon: Lights, Courage, Closure! How Utang na Loob Made Filipino Families Toxic “Ikaw na!”: What Smart Shaming Is And Why We Shouldn’t

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Results for guilt trip translation from English to Tagalog

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guilt tripping

Last Update: 2023-08-25 Usage Frequency: 2 Quality:

higit sa lahat ang kagandahana

Last Update: 2020-01-07 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

guilt trip meaning

kahulugan ng guilt trip

Last Update: 2023-06-21 Usage Frequency: 2 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

ano trip mo

Last Update: 2022-03-15 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

guilt feeling

guilt feelings

Last Update: 2023-04-21 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

ito ay isang day trip lamange

Last Update: 2021-05-25 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

Last Update: 2022-01-15 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

failed trip

bigo ang biyahe

Last Update: 2023-03-15 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

initiative vs, guilt

inisyatibo kumpara, pagkakasala

Last Update: 2019-10-09 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

sense of guilt desolated

kahulugan ng-salang gabang

Last Update: 2017-06-29 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

what is the meaning of guilt

ano ang ibig sabihin ng sumbat

Last Update: 2015-02-04 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

you had your own guilt to deal with

mayroon kang sariling pagkakasala kailangang asikasuhin

Last Update: 2020-01-10 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

food trip synonyms

mga kasingkahulugan ng food trip

Last Update: 2022-01-27 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

trip, tricycle ride

pasada ng tricycle

Last Update: 2021-03-03 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

trouble-free trip

mapadali ang biyahe

Last Update: 2022-04-19 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

god bless your trip

god bless on your trip

Last Update: 2022-11-17 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

safe trip, god bless!!!

have a safe trip god bless

Last Update: 2021-06-03 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

don't place shame, blame, or guilt on her

don 't place shame, blame, or guilt on her.

Last Update: 2022-09-04 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

anong magandang kwnetohan trip

Last Update: 2023-10-17 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

happy trip, enjoy your weekend

safe travels

Last Update: 2023-11-21 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

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Lingvanex - your universal translation app, translation meaning & definition of the word "guilt" into tagalog language, kahulugan ng pagsasalin at kahulugan ng salitang "pagkakasala" sa wikang tagalog.

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Guide: How to Say Guilt in Tagalog – Formal and Informal Ways

Are you curious about how to express the word “guilt” in Tagalog? With its rich cultural heritage and diverse linguistic expressions, the Filipino language offers various ways to convey this complex emotion. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to say “guilt” in Tagalog, covering tips, examples, and even regional variations. Whether you’re a language enthusiast or simply interested in expanding your vocabulary, this guide will provide you with the knowledge you seek.

Different Ways to Say Guilt in Tagalog

In Tagalog, the word “guilt” can be translated using multiple terms depending on the context and level of formality. Here are several options commonly used by native speakers:

• Sala – This is the most common and straightforward translation for “guilt” in Tagalog. It can be used in both formal and informal situations. Example: “Naramdaman ko ang sala sa aking kalooban.” (I felt guilt in my heart.)
• Pagsisisi – As a noun, “pagsisisi” refers to remorse or the act of regretting something. It can also convey a sense of guilt. Example: “Ang pagsisisi ay bumalot sa kanya matapos niyang gawin ang kasalanan.” (Remorse engulfed him after he committed the offense.)
• Konsensya – Although primarily translated as “conscience,” the term “konsensya” can also encompass guilt. It refers to the inner moral compass that guides one’s actions. Example: “Hindi ko na kayang tiisin ang pagsisiksik ng aking konsensya.” (I can no longer bear the nagging of my conscience.)
• Sala-salabid – This is a colloquial way to convey a sense of guilt. It carries a slightly lighter tone and is often used in casual conversations. Example: “Grabe na ang sala-salabid ng kanyang damdamin.” (His emotions are already tangled with guilt.)

Formal Expressions for Guilt in Tagalog

When it comes to formal settings or situations, it is essential to choose the appropriate language to express guilt. Here are some formal expressions commonly used in Tagalog:

“Nararamdaman ko ang panghihinayang.”

This formal phrase translates to “I feel regret” in English. It elegantly communicates the emotions associated with guilt, particularly in professional or serious contexts. Use this expression when discussing remorse or guilt with authority figures, such as in business or official exchanges.

“Nababagabag ako sa aking hangarin.”

This sentence translates to “I am troubled by my intentions” in English. It conveys a deeper sense of personal guilt, often used when expressing regret over one’s desires or aims. This phrase is suitable for formal conversations related to personal growth, ethics, or self-reflection.

Informal Expressions for Guilt in Tagalog

In less formal settings, such as among friends or family, Tagalog offers a range of informal expressions to communicate guilt. Here are a few examples:

“Sobrang nagsisisi ako.”

This casual phrase translates to “I am seriously regretting it” in English. It is often used in casual conversations to express immediate guilt or remorse. Use this expression when discussing personal feelings with close companions or acquaintances in an informal setting.

“Grabe na ang pinagdaraanan kong pagsisisi.”

This colloquial sentence translates to “I’m going through extreme regret” in English. It emphasizes the intensity of guilt, possibly stemming from a significant event or wrongdoing. Employ this phrase when sharing personal stories or experiences with peers or relatives.

Regional Variations in Expressing Guilt

While the Filipino language bridges various regions and dialects, it’s important to note that certain locations may have distinct expressions for conveying guilt. Let’s explore a couple of regional variations in the Philippines:

“Kuykuyan” (Visayan Region)

In the Visayan region, particularly in Cebuano, the term “kuykuyan” is commonly used to refer to guilt. It carries a similar meaning to “sala” in Tagalog. Example: “Naghinayang siya sa iyang kuykuyan pagkahuman sa iyang gibuhat.” (He regretted his guilt after what he did.)

“Kyamot” (Ilocano Region)

In Ilocano, an indigenous language spoken in northern Philippines, “kyamot” represents guilt. If you find yourself conversing with someone from the Ilocano region, this is the term to use. Example: “Nakimmisa ti kyamot babaen iti nairispetoan.” (He conveyed guilt through sincere apologies.)

In conclusion, understanding how to say “guilt” in Tagalog requires familiarity with different expressions and their appropriate usage. The translations provided, such as “sala” and “pagsisisi,” cover formal and informal settings, allowing you to effectively convey guilt in various contexts. If communicating with individuals in specific regions, like the Visayas or Ilocos regions, being aware of regional variations will enhance your ability to connect on a deeper level. Language is a gateway to culture, emotions, and personal connections, and this guide aims to provide you with the tools to navigate the complex landscape of guilt in Tagalog.

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Definition of 'guilt trip'

Guilt trip in american english, guilt-trip in american english, examples of 'guilt trip' in a sentence guilt trip, browse alphabetically guilt trip.

• guilt complex
• guilt-ridden
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guilt trip noun

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What does the noun guilt trip mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun guilt trip . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

How common is the noun guilt trip ?

How is the noun guilt trip pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the noun guilt trip come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the noun guilt trip is in the 1970s.

OED's earliest evidence for guilt trip is from 1972, in the writing of J. Rossner.

guilt trip is formed within English, by compounding.

Etymons: guilt n. , trip n. 1

Nearby entries

• guilter, n. a1300–82
• guiltful, adj. 1655–1791
• guiltfully, adv. c1480
• guiltily, adv. 1597–
• guiltiness, n. c1480–
• guilting, adj. Old English–1382
• guiltist, n. 1693
• guiltless, adj. c1175–
• guiltlessly, adv. 1548–
• guiltlessness, n. 1571–
• guilt trip, n. 1972–
• guilt-trip, v. 1977–
• guiltwite, n. Old English–1706
• guilty, adj. Old English–
• guilty knowledge, n. 1800–
• guiltyship, n. 1557
• guily, adj. c1430–1530
• guimauve, n. 1812–
• guimbard, n. 1830–
• guimpe, n. 1688–
• guindall, n. 1628

Meaning & use

I want to make it clear that nobody's sending me on any guilt trip over my money.

You start laying guilt trips on me and I don't need it, okay?

Mum, don't lay a guilt trip on us.

Ever the master of the guilt-trip , he finally said, ‘And this is how you kids repay me?’

Everyone in my family has a tendency toward manipulative behavior, but it's going beyond that. I can't begin to describe the guilt trip each one separately is laying on me!

• guilt 1567– An unpleasant feeling of having committed wrong or failed in an obligation; a guilty feeling.
• guilt trip 1972– An episode of severe, often excessive or unjustified self-reproach, esp. one deliberately provoked by another person; a state of mind in which a…
• self-condemnation 1591– The action of blaming oneself for something.
• self-accusing 1602– The action or an act of accusing oneself.
• self-reproving 1608– The action or an act of reproving oneself; (a) self-reproof.
• self-accusation 1616– The action of accusing oneself; an accusation made against oneself.
• self-reproof a1631– Reproof or censure of oneself; (severe) self-reproach. Also (and in earliest use): an instance of this; a reproving thought or utterance about…
• self-reflection 1656–1844 A critical or reproachful thought about oneself. Cf. reflection , n. II.9. Obsolete .
• self-reproach 1683– The action or fact of reproaching or blaming oneself; reproach directed towards oneself. Also (and in earliest use): an instance of this; a…
• self-reproachment 1802– The action or fact of reproaching or blaming oneself; self-reproach.
• self-reproval 1823– Reproval or censure of oneself; an instance of this; = self-reproof , n.
• self-reproachingness 1850–

Pronunciation

• ð th ee
• ɬ rhingy ll

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence <petal> /ˈpɛtl/ but <petally> /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

• a trap, bath
• ɑː start, palm, bath
• ɔː thought, force
• ᵻ (/ɪ/-/ə/)
• ᵿ (/ʊ/-/ə/)

Other symbols

• The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
• The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
• Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here .

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in <bitter>

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence <petal> /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but <petally> /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

• i fleece, happ y
• æ trap, bath
• ɑ lot, palm, cloth, thought
• ɔ cloth, thought
• ɔr north, force
• ə strut, comm a
• ər nurse, lett er
• ɛ(ə)r square
• æ̃ sal on

Simple Text Respell

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

• arr carry (British only)
• a(ng) gratin
• o lot (British only)
• orr sorry (British only)
• o(ng) salon

guilt trip typically occurs about 0.07 times per million words in modern written English.

guilt trip is in frequency band 3, which contains words occurring between 0.01 and 0.1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency of guilt trip, n. , 1970–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole , n.¹, mole , n.², mole , n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Compounds & derived words

• guilt-trip , v. 1977– transitive. To instil or attempt to instil feelings of guilt or remorse in (a person), often in order to induce him or her into a particular course…

Entry history for guilt trip, n.

guilt trip, n. was first published in September 2001.

guilt trip, n. was last modified in July 2023.

oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:

• further revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into guilt trip, n. in July 2023.

Please submit your feedback for guilt trip, n.

Please include your email address if you are happy to be contacted about your feedback. OUP will not use this email address for any other purpose.

Citation details

Factsheet for guilt trip, n., browse entry.

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What Is Guilt Tripping?

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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Frequently Asked Questions

A guilt trip means causing another person to feel guilt or a sense of responsibility to change their behavior or take a specific action. Because guilt can be such a powerful motivator of human behavior, people can wield it as a tool to change how others think, feel, and behave. 

Sometimes this might involve leaning on something that someone already feels guilty about. In other cases, people might induce feelings of unjustified guilt or responsibility to manipulate the other person's emotions and behaviors.

If someone has ever made you feel bad about something you’ve done (or didn’t do) and then used those bad feelings to get you to do something for them, then you have experience with guilt tripping.

This article discusses the signs, types, and impact of guilt trips. It also covers some of the steps you can take to cope with this type of behavior.

Signs of a Guilt Trip

Guilt trips can be intentional, but they can also be unintentional. There are chances that you have even guilt-tripped people into doing things before.

Sometimes guilt tripping behavior can be easy to spot, but it can also be much more subtle and difficult to detect.  Some key signs that others may be guilt-tripping you include:

• Making comments suggesting that you have not done as much work as they have done
• Bringing up mistakes that you have made in the past
• Reminding you of favors they have performed for you in the past
• Acting as if they are angry but then denying that there is a problem
• Refusing to speak to you or giving you the silent treatment
• Making it clear through their body language , tone of voice, and facial expressions that they disapprove of what you were doing
• Suggesting that you “owe” them
• Engaging in passive-aggressive behavior
• Making sarcastic comments about your efforts or progress

It is important to note that this type of indirect communication can occur in any interpersonal relationship. Still, it is more likely to take place in relationships that are marked by close emotional connections.

It can show up in romantic relationships, but guilt trips may also be utilized in family relationships, parental relationships, and even work relationships.

Types of Guilt Tripping

There are many different types of guilt trips that people may utilize depending on the ultimate goal or purpose of the behavior. Some of the different purposes of a guilt trip include:

• Manipulation : Sometimes, the primary goal of a guilt trip is to manipulate someone into doing something that they normally would not want to do.  
• Conflict avoidance : In other cases, people may use guilt trips to avoid directly talking about an issue. It allows them to get what they want without having to engage in direct conflict.
• Moral education : Guilt trips can also be a way of getting someone to engage in a behavior that the individual feels is more moral or “right.”
• Elicit sympathy : In some cases, guilt-tripping allows the individual to gain the sympathy of others by casting themselves in the role of someone who has been harmed by the actions the other person is supposed to feel guilty about.

Guilt isn't always a bad thing. While often troubling and unpleasant, it can serve an important role in guiding moral behavior. When people experience guilt, they can fix their mistakes and avoid repeating the same errors in the future.

Researcher Courtney Humeny

A guilt trip does not appear to induce the benefits of guilt, such as making amends, honesty, and mutual understanding.

Impact of Guilt Trips

Invoking feelings of guilt to change someone’s behavior can have a wide variety of effects. Whether guilt is wielded intentionally or not, it prevents healthy communication and connections with others. Some of the most immediate effects of this form of covert psychological manipulation include:

Damage to Relationships

Research suggests that guilt trips can take a toll on close relationships. One study found that people hurt by their partner's criticism were more likely to use those hurt feelings to make their partner feel guilty and offer reassurances.

However, the study also found that the partner who had been guilt-tripped into offering assurances was more likely to feel significantly worse about the relationship.

In other words, inducing feelings of guilt may work to get your partner to do what you want—but it comes at a cost. It can impair trust and cause the other person to feel that they are being manipulated. 

One of the reasons why guilt trips can poison relationships is because they can lead to lasting feelings of resentment.

"A guilt trip imposes aversive states associated with guilt, along with feelings of resentment from feeling manipulated," Humeny suggests.

A single occasion of someone using a guilt trip to alter your behavior might not have a serious impact on your relationship. Repeated use of guilt trips can leave you feeling bitter.

If you feel that your partner is always going to guilt you into something that you don't want to do, it can decrease intimacy, reduce emotional closeness, and ultimately make you start to resent your partner.

Research suggests that appeals to guilt are a common type of persuasion technique . However, while guilt can compel people to take certain actions, it can also sometimes backfire.

Low-level guilt tends to motivate people to act on the persuasive message. High levels of guilt, however, often fail due to what researchers call "reactance." 

"An individual in a state of reactance will behave in such a way as to restore his freedom (or, at least, his sense of freedom), for example, by performing behaviors that are contrary to those required," explain researchers Aurélien Graton and Melody Mailliez in a 2019 article published in the journal Behavioral Sciences .

In other words, guilt trips can backfire and lead people to behave opposite how someone else wants them to act. For example, someone guilt-tripping you into calling them more often might actually result in calling them less.

Poor Well-being

Feelings of excessive guilt are associated with several mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression , and obsessive-compulsive disorder . Being subjected to guilt trips may contribute to the development or worsening of such conditions.

Experiencing guilt can also lead to many immediate and unpleasant emotions and symptoms such as anxiety, sadness, regret, worry, muscle tension, and insomnia.

This type of covert manipulation may also sometimes contribute to the development of a guilt complex , which is a persistent belief that you have done (or will do) something wrong.

Over time, guilt can lead to feelings of shame. Shame can affect your self-image, which can then contribute to social withdrawal and isolation.

How to Cope With Guilt Tripping

There are a number of tactics that can be helpful when dealing with a guilt trip. Some steps you can take include:

• Acknowledge the request. Let them know that you understand that it is important to them. Responding with empathy and showing that you see their needs may help them feel that they are not simply being ignored. Validating their emotions may help lessen the intensity of those feelings.
• Share your feelings . Explain that you also see how they are trying to make you feel guilty so that you'll do what they want. Then tell them how that type of manipulation makes you feel. Suggest that interacting in that way will lead to resentment and that more direct communication forms would be more effective. 
• Set boundaries . Boundaries help set limits on what you will and will not accept. Even if you do end up helping them with their request, make sure you clearly articulate your limits and explain the consequences of crossing those boundaries. Then be sure that you enforce those limits if they are crossed.

Other things that you can use include protecting your self-esteem and distancing yourself if needed. You're more likely to fall for a guilt trip if you already feel poorly about yourself, so find strategies to build up your sense of self-worth. 

If the other person keeps trying to manipulate you with feelings of guilt, reduce your communication with them or even consider ending the relationship.

Protecting your own well-being should be a top priority. A person who tries to manipulate you with toxic feelings of shame and guilt does not have your best interests at heart.

Getting Help for Guilt

If you are experiencing feelings of guilt or related symptoms of anxiety, stress, or depression, talk to your health care provider or a mental health professional. They can recommend treatment options such as psychotherapy or medications that can help manage symptoms and improve the quality of your life.

Your doctor or therapist may suggest a type of therapy called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) , which may help reduce inappropriate guilt feelings. This type of therapy can help you identify and change the negative thoughts and cognitive distortions that can contribute to feelings of guilt.

Your therapist can also help you learn to recognize the signs of a guilt trip—and help you practice strategies to cope with this type of emotional manipulation.

An example of guilt tripping might be your friend calling you and saying, "I know you are too busy with work to hang out. I'll just spend the evening by myself. I just thought that since I helped you get that job you would make sure to make a little more time for me." This type of comment is designed to induce feelings of guilt and bring up the idea that you "owe" them in some way.

Guilt tripping is often designed to manipulate other people by preying on their emotions and feelings of guilt or responsibility. This can be a form of toxic behavior that can have detrimental effects on a person's well-being as well as their relationships.

While both behaviors are destructive and toxic, they differ in key ways. Gaslighting is a type of emotional abuse that involves denying another person's reality and making them question their own experiences. Guilt tripping, on the other hand, is about causing another person to feel guilty in order to get them to change their behavior.

Humeny C. A qualitative investigation of a guilt trip . Conference: Institute of Cognitive Science Spring Proceedings.

Overall NC, Girme YU, Lemay EP Jr, Hammond MD. Attachment anxiety and reactions to relationship threat: the benefits and costs of inducing guilt in romantic partners . J Pers Soc Psychol . 2014;106(2):235-56. doi:10.1037/a0034371

Aurélien G, Melody M. A theory of guilt appeals: a review showing the importance of investigating cognitive processes as mediators between emotion and behavior .  Behav Sci (Basel) . 2019;9(12):117. doi:10.3390/bs9120117

Tilghman-Osborne C, Cole DA, Felton JW.  Definition and measurement of guilt: Implications for clinical research and practice .  Clin Psychol Rev . 2010;30(5):536-546. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.007

Miceli M, Castelfranchi C.  Reconsidering the differences between shame and guilt .  Eur J Psychol . 2018;14(3):710-733. doi:10.5964/ejop.v14i3.1564

Herr NR, Jones AC, Cohn DM, Weber DM.  The impact of validation and invalidation on aggression in individuals with emotion regulation difficulties .  Personal Disord . 2015;6(4):310-4. doi:10.1037/per0000129

Cleantis T. Boundaries and self-care . Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.

Hedman E, Ström P, Stünkel A, Mörtberg E. Shame and guilt in social anxiety disorder: effects of cognitive behavior therapy and association with social anxiety and depressive symptoms . PLoS One . 2013;8(4):e61713. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0061713

Johnson VE, Nadal KL, Sissoko DRG, King R. "It's not in your head": Gaslighting, 'splaining, victim blaming, and other harmful reactions to microaggressions .  Perspect Psychol Sci . 2021;16(5):1024-1036. doi:10.1177/17456916211011963

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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Definition of guilt-trip

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

Definition of guilt trip  (Entry 2 of 2)

Examples of guilt-trip in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'guilt-trip.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1974, in the meaning defined above

1970, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near guilt-trip

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“Guilt-trip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guilt-trip. Accessed 11 Apr. 2024.

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Meaning of guilt trip in English

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• be/weigh on your conscience idiom
• breastbeating
• feel bad idiom
• guilt complex
• melancholia
• regretfully
• remorsefully

guilt trip | American Dictionary

Examples of guilt trip, translations of guilt trip.

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a type of singing in which four, usually male, voices in close combination perform popular romantic songs, especially from the 1920s and 1930s

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Guilt in Tagalog

What is the translation of word Guilt in Tagalog/Filipino ?

Meaning of   Guilt in Tagalog is : pagkakasala

Defenition of word guilt.

• the fact of having committed a specified or implied offense or crime.
• make (someone) feel guilty, especially in order to induce them to do something.

Other meanings of Guilt

it is the duty of the prosecution to prove the prisoner's guilt

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