tragedia
/tɾaˈxedja/feminine
The English word tragedy is translated into Spanish as tragedia.
tragedia is a noun used to describe a disastrous event, especially one involving great loss of life or injury. In certain contexts, particularly when referring to natural disasters or catastrophic events, you can use Calamidad interchangeably with tragedia.
Meaning: disastrous event, especially one involving great loss of life or injury (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of tragedia is tragedias.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾaˈxedja/
Did you know?
- The word tragedia shares the same Greek roots as the English word, meaning 'goat song' because of the ancient tradition where goats were sacrificed or used in performances.
- In Spanish, calling a minor inconvenience a tragedia is a common form of hyperbole. A person might describe losing their keys or a broken fingernail as a tragedia to be humorous or dramatic.
- If a Spanish speaker describes a situation as a tragedia griega, they are not just describing a disaster, but implying it is an inescapable and fated catastrophe.
Examples in context
- La tragedia sucedió repentinamente.The tragedy happened suddenly.The first sentence is useful for describing how the tragedia occurred.Tatoeba #834438 by LugoIlmer, translation #317774 by CM
- Su repentina muerte fue una tragedia.His sudden death was a tragedy.The second sentence shows how a sudden death can be described as a tragedia.Tatoeba #3117197 by marcelostockle, translation #287278 by CK
- Una terrible tragedia ha caído sobre mí.A dire tragedy has befallen me.The third sentence demonstrates how one might express that a tragedia has befallen them.Tatoeba #4438909 by miren, translation #4123274 by Lepotdeterre
- He sufrido una gran desgracia en mi vida.I have experienced a great tragedy in my life.
- La tragedia del terremoto dejó miles de personas sin hogar.The tragedy of the earthquake left thousands homeless.
- La reciente tragedia aérea ha dejado a muchas familias de luto.The recent air tragedy has left many families in mourning.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are discussing a news report about a flood.
- MateoMira las noticias sobre la inundación.Look at the news about the flood.
- MaríaEs una tragedia realmente terrible.It is a truly terrible tragedy.
- MateoMucha gente perdió su casa.Many people lost their homes.
- MaríaNo puedo creer que pasara esa tragedia.I cannot believe that tragedy happened.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tragedy” translations and entries tragedia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tragedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
