malchanceux
/mal.ʃɑ̃.sø/masculine
The English word unlucky is translated into French as malchanceux. Wiktionary also lists poissard.
Meaning: having ill luck (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| malchanceux | /mal.ʃɑ̃.sø/ | masculine |
| poissard | masculine |
Both malchanceux and poissard are used to describe someone who is having ill luck.
What does it mean word for word?
The word malchanceux is composed of mal (bad) and chance (luck/chance).
Which one should you use?
Malchanceux is the standard term for unlucky, whereas poissard is a more colloquial and colorful way to describe someone who is unlucky.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Malchanceux is a standard term. In contrast, poissard is used in informal, everyday speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form malchanceux becomes the feminine form malchanceuse. The masculine form poissard becomes the feminine form poissarde.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /mal.ʃɑ̃.sø/.
Did you know?
- While 'chance' in English often means a possibility or a gamble, the French chance almost always refers to positive luck. To say someone has 'no chance' in French, pas de chance, usually means they are simply unlucky.
- The colloquial word poissard comes from poisse, which means 'sticky glue'. To be unlucky in French is metaphorically like having something sticky cling to you that you cannot shake off.
- The suffix '-ard' in poissard is often used in French to create nouns that carry a slightly derogatory or pejorative tone.
Examples in context
- Je suis un poissard.I'm unlucky.This sentence is useful for using the form poissard.Tatoeba #7731165 by Micsmithel, translation #2203525 by CK
- Je fus très malchanceux.I was really unlucky.This sentence is useful for using the form malchanceux.Tatoeba #6385340 by Aiji, translation #3818978 by CK
- Quel malchanceux je suis !How unlucky I am!Tatoeba #2347601 by MartinShadock, translation #36100 by CM
- Je me sens malchanceux aujourd'hui.I feel unlucky today.
- C'est une situation malheureuse.It's an unlucky situation.
- J'ai encore raté le bus, pas de chance !I missed the bus again, unlucky!
- Je suis vraiment malchanceux en amour.I am really unlucky in love.
- Elle a la poisse aux jeux de hasard.She is unlucky in gambling.
- Nous avons connu une série d'événements malheureux.We have experienced a series of unfortunate events.
- Je n'ai vraiment pas de chance en ce moment.I really have no luck at the moment.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are talking about a man who lost his wallet.
- HugoIl est vraiment malchanceux.He is truly unlucky.
- ManonC'est très triste pour lui.That is very sad for him.
- HugoIl a perdu son portefeuille.He lost his wallet.
- ManonQuel malchanceux, ce pauvre homme.What an unlucky man, that poor man.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unlucky” translations and entries malchanceux, poissard, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries malchanceux, poissard, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
