terrible
/tɛ.ʁibl/feminine, masculine
The English phrase "terrible" is translated into French as terrible.
terrible is an adjective meaning very bad. In informal French, terrible can sometimes be used to mean "great" or "wonderful," similar to how "terrific" is used in English, though this is less common than its negative meaning.
Meaning: very bad (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form terrible is identical for both masculine and feminine nouns because it already ends in an unaccented e.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɛ.ʁibl/
Did you know?
- In certain French slang contexts, calling a person terrible can be a way of saying they are a 'badass' or impressively formidable.
- In French literature, terrible is often used to describe the 'sublime', referring to something so vast or powerful that it is both beautiful and frightening at the same time.
- While terrible means 'terrible' or 'great', the French word for 'terrifying' is terrifiant. Using terrible to describe a scary monster might make a French speaker think the monster is simply very impressive or high-quality.
Examples in context
- Est-ce si terrible ?Is that so terrible?This sentence is useful for asking if something is so terrible.Tatoeba #4550284 by sacredceltic, translation #2262854 by CK
- Ça a un goût terrible.That tastes terrible.This sentence is useful for describing a terrible taste.Tatoeba #5299498 by pititnatole, translation #1897764 by CK
- Ça a dû être terrible.That must have been terrible.This sentence is useful for expressing that something must have been terrible.Tatoeba #11882861 by lbdx, translation #2262866 by CK
- Ce film est très mauvais.This movie is terrible.
- Les résultats de l'examen sont déplorables.The exam results are terrible.
- La situation actuelle est catastrophique.The current situation is terrible.
- Ce livre est vraiment nul.This book is really terrible.
- La météo aujourd'hui est affreuse.The weather today is terrible.
- Ce restaurant est vraiment pourri.This restaurant is truly terrible.
- 100 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are talking about a movie they just watched.
- HugoQu'est-ce que tu as pensé du film ?What did you think of the movie?
- ManonC'était vraiment terrible, je n'ai pas aimé.It was really terrible, I didn't like it.
- HugoMoi aussi, le scénario était terrible.Me too, the script was terrible.
- ManonC'est une perte de temps.It is a waste of time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “terrible” translations and entries terrible, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
