quel dommage
/kɛl dɔ.maʒ/
In French, the English phrase "what a shame" is translated as quel dommage.
quel dommage is an expression used to convey that a situation is disappointing or regrettable.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, quel dommage translates to "what damage" or "what loss".
Which one should you use?
While quel dommage! is used as an exclamatory outburst, the phrase C'est dommage is a declarative statement used to express regret about a fact.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the expression Quelle misère is commonly used to mean "What a shame."
How does it change in a sentence?
There are two main ways to structure a sentence with this phrase. If you follow it with a clause starting with que, the verb in that clause must be in the subjunctive mood. If you are expressing the shame of an action using an infinitive, use the preposition de after quel dommage.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɛl dɔ.maʒ/
Did you know?
- Using quel dommage can sometimes be used sarcastically in French to mock someone who is complaining too much about a minor inconvenience.
- In English, 'shame' can mean a feeling of embarrassment, but you would never use quel dommage to describe feeling embarrassed.
- The word dommage comes from the Latin 'damnum', which originally referred to a legal or financial loss.
Examples in context
- Quel dommage que vous n'ayez pas pu venir.What a shame you couldn't come.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the subjunctive mood with quel dommage.Tatoeba #8817140 by Rockaround, translation #9105752 by Lebensfreude
- Quel dommage de ne faire que supporter la vie plutôt que d'en jouir !What a shame to just endure life rather than enjoying it.This sentence shows how to use the preposition de with an infinitive.Tatoeba #1010855 by sacredceltic, translation #1008678 by darinmex
- Quel dommage !What a shame!This sentence demonstrates the phrase as a standalone exclamation.Tatoeba #373234 by kotobaboke, translation #42149 by CK
- Il a raté une opportunité d'affaires. Quel dommage!He missed a business opportunity. What a shame!
- C'est regrettable que le projet n'ait pas abouti.It's regrettable that the project didn't succeed.
- Tu ne peux pas venir à la fête samedi ? Quel dommage !You can't come to the party on Saturday? What a shame!
- Je regrette de vous informer que votre demande de subvention a été refusée. – Quel dommage!I regret to inform you that your grant application has been denied. – What a shame!
- Je n'ai pas pu trouver de place de parking. Quel dommage!I couldn't find a parking spot. What a shame!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are talking about a canceled outdoor concert.
- LéaLe concert est annulé à cause de la pluie.The concert is canceled because of the rain.
- GabrielQuel dommage, j'avais très envie d'y aller.What a shame, I really wanted to go.
- LéaMoi aussi, c'est vraiment décevant.Me too, it's really disappointing.
- GabrielOn essaiera d'y aller la prochaine fois.We will try to go next time.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry quel 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.
