dramatique
/dʁa.ma.tik/
The English adjective dramatic is translated into French as dramatique.
The term dramatique is used to describe something that is striking in appearance or effect. It can also refer specifically to things relating to theater or a play.
Meaning: striking in appearance or effect (adj)
Which one should you use?
While dramatique describes things that are intense or striking in a general sense, it is also the specific word used for things relating to drama and the theater.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective dramatique is the same in both masculine and feminine forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/dʁa.ma.tik/. It has 3 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
In English, people often use 'dramatic' to describe a person's personality (for example, 'He is a dramatic person'). While you can say Ne sois pas si dramatique to tell someone not to overreact, it is less common in French to use dramatique to describe a person's character. Instead, you might say Il fait toujours son cinéma.
Did you know?
- If a situation is described as 'dramatique' in a news report, it often implies a serious or tragic event involving loss, rather than just a striking visual.
- The word 'dramatique' shares its roots with the Greek 'drâma', which means 'an action' or 'a thing done'.
- To describe a scene as 'dramatic' in the sense of being suspenseful, French speakers might use tendu, which literally means 'stretched' or 'tense'.
Examples in context
- Ne sois pas si dramatique !Don't be so dramatic.This sentence shows how to tell someone not to be so dramatic using dramatique.Tatoeba #2036223 by sacredceltic, translation #1860510 by CK
- Ne sois pas si dramatique, Tom.Don't be so dramatic, Tom.This sentence is a variation of the first, addressing someone named Tom while using dramatique.Tatoeba #5381746 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #12668750 by rul
- En musique comme en rhétorique, une pause est souvent utilisée pour créer un effet dramatique.In music or speaking, a pause is frequently used for dramatic effect.This sentence demonstrates how dramatique is used to describe a dramatic effect in music or rhetoric.Tatoeba #641332 by qdii, translation #25439 by timmartin
- Son discours était très théâtral, avec des gestes amplifiés.His speech was very dramatic, with exaggerated gestures.
- La chute d'eau était spectaculaire, avec son débit impressionnant et son bruit assourdissant.The waterfall was dramatic, with its impressive flow and deafening noise.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are discussing a movie they just watched.
- LéaLa fin du film était vraiment dramatique.The end of the movie was really dramatic.
- LucasOui, j'ai trouvé le changement de ton frappant.Yes, I found the change in tone striking.
- LéaL'éclairage créait une atmosphère dramatique.The lighting created a dramatic atmosphere.
- LucasC'est vrai, c'était très visuel.That's true, it was very visual.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dramatic” translations and entries dramatique, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dramatique, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
