Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| malheureusement | /ma.lø.ʁøz.mɑ̃/ |
| malencontreusement | /ma.lɑ̃.kɔ̃.tʁøz.mɑ̃/ |
malheureusement is used to describe things happening through bad luck. For more specific nuances, you might use the interjection Hélas to express a sense of disappointment or a sigh or the phrase À regret to convey regret or sorrow, often followed by a verb.
What does it mean word for word?
The adverb malheureusement is built from mal (bad), heur (luck/fortune) and the suffix -ement (the adverbial equivalent of '-ly').
Which one should you use?
While malheureusement refers to general bad luck or regrettable circumstances, malencontreusement often implies an unfortunate coincidence or something happening at an inopportune moment.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, malheureusement can be placed at the beginning of a sentence to modify the entire clause or within the sentence to modify a specific verb or action.
How do you pronounce it?
/ma.lø.ʁøz.mɑ̃/
Did you know?
- The root heur in malheureusement is a distant relative of the English word 'hour'. While 'hour' refers to time, heur originally meant 'luck' or 'prosperity' in Old French.
- The word malheureusement shares its root with bonheur, the French word for 'happiness'. Literally, 'happiness' in French is 'good luck'.
- The suffix -ment in malheureusement works exactly like the English '-ly', but it is derived from the Latin word for 'mind' or 'spirit', 'mens'.
Examples in context
- Malheureusement, il a plu hier.Unfortunately, it rained yesterday.This sentence shows how to use malheureusement to describe past weather.Tatoeba #4898436 by sacredceltic, translation #71944 by CK
- Malheureusement, il avait neigé.Unfortunately, it had snowed.Tatoeba #6681614 by felix63, translation #6684839 by Eccles17
- Malheureusement, je dois partir.Unfortunately, I have to go.This sentence shows how to use malheureusement to express an unwanted obligation.Tatoeba #12317342 by lbdx, translation #9264881 by CK
- Malheureusement, je ne pourrai pas assister à la réunion demain.Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the meeting tomorrow.
- Je dois à regret vous informer que la conférence est annulée.I must regretfully inform you that the conference is canceled.
- Hélas, il est arrivé en retard à la réunion.Unfortunately, he arrived late to the meeting.
- C'est dommage que ton vol ait été annulé.It's a shame that your flight got canceled.
- 150 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are discussing a concert they want to see.
- NathanOn peut acheter les billets demain ?Can we buy the tickets tomorrow?
- ChloéMalheureusement, ils sont déjà tous vendus.Unfortunately, they are already all sold out.
- NathanC'est vraiment dommage pour nous.That is a real shame for us.
- ChloéOui, on a attendu trop longtemps.Yes, we waited too long.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unfortunately” translations and entries malheureusement, malencontreusement, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
