quel dommage
/kɛl dɔ.maʒ/
The English phrase "what a pity" is expressed in French as quel dommage. Wiktionary also lists dommage.
Meaning: used to express regret (phrase)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| quel dommage | /kɛl dɔ.maʒ/ |
| dommage | /dɔ.maʒ/ |
Both quel dommage and dommage are used to express regret. In casual conversation, you might also hear the informal expression C'est trop bête to convey that something is "too bad" or "such a shame".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase quel dommage is composed of quel (what/which) and dommage (pity/shame/damage).
Which one should you use?
While quel dommage is an exclamation, dommage can also be used as a standalone interjection to mean "that's too bad".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using just dommage is a more colloquial and shortened way to express "what a pity" in conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
When followed by a clause starting with que, the verb in that clause must be in the subjunctive mood.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɛl dɔ.maʒ/
Did you know?
- If you find a situation particularly unfortunate, you might say C'est trop bête, which literally translates to 'it is too stupid' in English.
- In French, dommage is used in legal settings to refer to the specific financial compensation paid for a loss.
- The French word dommage is a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'danger'.
Examples in context
- Quel dommage que tu ne puisses venir !What a pity you can't go.This sentence uses quel dommage to express regret about someone's inability to come.Tatoeba #9414063 by sacredceltic, translation #9413468 by Nylez
- Quel dommage que je n'aie pas de jardin !What a pity I don't have a garden.This sentence uses quel dommage to express regret about not having a garden.Tatoeba #8342681 by Rockaround, translation #3089842 by patgfisher
- Quel dommage qu'elle ne puisse pas venir !What a pity she can't come!This sentence uses quel dommage to express regret regarding a woman's inability to come.Tatoeba #651667 by qdii, translation #308533 by CH
- C'est dommage que vous ne puissiez pas venir à la fêteIt's too bad that you can't come to the party
- Quel dommage que vous ayez raté votre trainWhat a shame that you missed your train
- C'est trop bête que vous ayez manqué ce concertIt's such a shame that you missed this concert
- Quelle déception que le film ait été si mauvaisWhat a disappointment that the movie was so bad
- C'est dommage que vous n'ayez pas pu obtenir le posteIt's a pity that you couldn't get the job
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are talking about a cancelled concert.
- EmmaLe concert est annulé.The concert is cancelled.
- NathanQuel dommage !What a pity!
- EmmaJe suis vraiment désolée pour toi, Nathan.I am really sorry for you, Nathan.
- NathanCe n'est pas grave, Emma.It's okay, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “what a pity” translations and entries quel dommage, dommage, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dommage, quel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
