pathétique
/pa.te.tik/
The English word 'pathetic' is translated into French as pathétique.
pathétique is used to describe something that arouses scorn or contempt. However, in a literary context, it can also mean 'poignant' or 'heartbreaking'.
Meaning: arousing scorn or contempt (adj)
Which one should you use?
While in English 'pathetic' is frequently used as a direct insult, in French, the word pathétique retains a sense of being poignant or heartbreaking in literary settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective pathétique is the same for both masculine and feminine singular forms. To make the adjective plural, add an 's' to the end to form pathétiques.
How do you pronounce it?
/pa.te.tik/
Did you know?
- The word pathétique is a cognate of the English word 'empathy' because both derive from the Greek root for 'feeling' or 'suffering'.
- In French rhetoric, le pathétique is a specific technique used to evoke strong emotions of pity and sorrow in an audience.
- While pathétique can be an insult, French speakers often use the word pitoyable to express the same sense of scorn or contempt as the English 'pathetic'.
Examples in context
- Vous êtes si pathétique.You're so pathetic.This sentence shows how to use pathétique to describe a person.Tatoeba #5750461 by Aiji, translation #2218388 by CK
- Comme c'est pathétique !How pathetic!This sentence shows how to use pathétique as an exclamation.Tatoeba #10504314 by pkill, translation #2111815 by CK
- Tu es vraiment pathétique.You really are pathetic.This sentence shows how to use pathétique to emphasize a person's state.Tatoeba #3140918 by Aiji, translation #2713453 by CK
- La performance de l'orateur était pitoyable.The speaker's performance was pathetic.
- Sa conduite navrante a déçu tout le monde.His pathetic behavior disappointed everyone.
- Son excuse était vraiment ridicule, personne n'y a cru.His excuse was truly pathetic, no one believed it.
- L'équipe a fait un match minable et a perdu.The team had a pathetic game and lost.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are watching a bad reality show on TV.
- GabrielC'est vraiment pathétique.It is truly pathetic.
- ManonOui, son comportement est pathétique.Yes, his behavior is pathetic.
- GabrielOn devrait arrêter de regarder.We should stop watching.
- ManonJe suis d'accord avec toi.I agree with you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pathétique, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
