tragico
/ˈtra.d͡ʒi.ko/
The English word 'tragic' is translated into Italian as tragico.
The word tragico is an adjective used to describe something that causes great sadness.
Meaning: causing great sadness (adj)
Which one should you use?
While tragico is the standard term, the alternative funesto can be used to convey a deeper sense of sorrow and misfortune.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, tragico must agree with the noun it modifies. Use tragica for feminine singular nouns, tragici for masculine plural nouns and tragiche for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtra.dʒi.ko/. The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word tragico shares the same Greek roots as the English 'tragic', as both stem from the word for 'goat' used in ancient theatrical rituals.
- In Italian, the word tragico is frequently used as an intensifier in casual speech to mean 'terrible' or 'awful', such as describing a bad meal or a poor grade.
- If an Italian describes a comical mistake as tragico, they are often using irony to emphasize how absurdly bad the situation is, rather than expressing true sorrow.
Examples in context
- Ciò è davvero tragico.This is really tragic.This sentence is useful for expressing that something is truly tragic using tragico.Tatoeba #4530845 by Guybrush88, translation #4494572 by CK
- Ciò non è così tragico.This is not so tragic.This sentence is useful for stating that something is not quite so tragic using tragico.Tatoeba #2470378 by Guybrush88, translation #2470376 by freddy1
- Fu un tragico incidente.It was a tragic accident.This sentence is useful for describing a tragic accident using tragico.Tatoeba #3827008 by Guybrush88, translation #3826970 by CK
- La notizia della scomparsa di quella giovane ragazza è davvero tragica.The news of that young girl's disappearance is truly tragic.
- Il terremoto ha causato un evento funesto per l'intera comunità.The earthquake caused a tragic event for the entire community.
- Ho visto quel film straziante ieri sera. Mi sono commosso.I watched that tragic movie last night. It moved me.
- Quell'incidente è stato da far piangere i sassi.That accident was tragically heartbreaking.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are discussing a sad news story.
- ChiaraHai sentito la notizia? È stato un evento tragico.Did you hear the news? It was a tragic event.
- FrancescoSì, è davvero terribile.Yes, it is truly terrible.
- ChiaraMi dispiace molto per loro.I am very sorry for them.
- FrancescoSiamo tutti molto addolorati.We are all very saddened.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tragic” translations and entries tragico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tragico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
