tragédie
/tʁa.ʒe.di/
The English word 'tragedy' is translated into French as tragédie.
The word tragédie refers to a disastrous event, particularly one that involves great loss of life or injury. It can also be used to describe the specific dramatic literary genre of tragedy in French theater.
Meaning: disastrous event, especially one involving great loss of life or injury (noun)
Which one should you use?
While tragédie is used for a disastrous event, it is also the specific term for the literary genre of tragedy in French theater.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of tragédie is tragédies.
How do you pronounce it?
The word consists of 3 syllables and is pronounced /tʁa.ʒe.di/.
Did you know?
- The word tragédie originates from the Ancient Greek words for 'male goat' and 'song'. This likely refers to the goat-satyrs who performed in early theatrical plays.
- While tragédie describes a catastrophe, French speakers often use the word drame for personal tragedies that are sad but not necessarily disastrous.
- In traditional French theater, a tragédie was required to follow the 'rule of three unities', meaning the action happened in one place, over one day, with one plot.
Examples in context
- Ce fut une tragédie.It was a tragedy.This sentence is useful for expressing that something was a tragedy using tragédie.Tatoeba #5833084 by Aiji, translation #2549291 by CK
- Ce serait une tragédie.That would be a tragedy.This sentence is useful for expressing that something would be a tragedy using tragédie.Tatoeba #12895797 by lbdx, translation #2891936 by CK
- C'est une tragédie humaine.This is a human tragedy.This sentence is useful for describing a human tragedy using tragédie.Tatoeba #4481460 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #4478354 by Hybrid
- L'incendie qui a ravagé la ville est une véritable tragédie .The fire that devastated the town is a real tragedy.
- Ce film est un véritable drame grec contemporain.This movie is a true contemporary Greek tragedy.
- Mon chien est mort, c'est une véritable catastrophe .My dog died, it's a real catastrophe.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are discussing a news report about a natural disaster.
- HugoAs-tu vu les nouvelles sur le séisme ?Did you see the news about the earthquake?
- EmmaOui, c'est une véritable tragédie.Yes, it is a true tragedy.
- HugoIl y a tellement de victimes.There are so many victims.
- EmmaC'est vraiment désolant pour ces familles.It is truly heartbreaking for those families.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tragédie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tragédie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
