effet domino
/e.fɛ dɔ.mi.no/masculine
The English phrase "domino effect" is translated into French as effet domino.
Meaning: chain of events (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a masculine noun phrase. To say "a domino effect", use un effet domino. When pluralizing the phrase to "the domino effects", only the noun effet takes the plural marker s, resulting in les effets domino. The word domino remains invariable because it acts as an apposition.
How do you pronounce it?
/e.fɛ dɔ.mi.no/
Did you know?
- In French, the word domino can refer to a hooded cloak and mask used at masquerade balls to hide a person's identity.
- Some historians believe the game domino took its name because the early tiles were black, echoing the dark robes of a 'lord'.
- The term effet domino gained widespread use in French political discussions during the Cold War. It was used specifically to describe the fear of one country's political shift triggering a collapse in neighboring nations.
Examples in context
- Les décisions politiques prises dans ce pays ont eu un effet domino dans toute la région.The political decisions made in this country had a domino effect throughout the region.
- La chute de cette banque a provoqué un effet domino sur toute l'économie.The collapse of this bank triggered a domino effect across the entire economy.
- Cela peut créer un effet domino.That can create a domino effect.
- L'effet domino est très dangereux ici.The domino effect is very dangerous here.
- Nous craignons un effet domino économique.We fear an economic domino effect.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a small error in a project.
- ManonCette petite erreur va causer un effet domino.This small error is going to cause a domino effect.
- GabrielTu penses que tout le projet va s'écrouler ?Do you think the whole project will collapse?
- ManonOui, Gabriel, c'est possible.Yes, Gabriel, it is possible.
- GabrielJe vais essayer de corriger cela vite.I will try to fix that quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “domino effect” translations and entries effet domino, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries domino, effet, CC BY-SA 4.0.
