Spanish Conversation · Level 19
90 words
Spanish word
desgracia
Pronunciation
IPA/desˈɣɾaθja/
Meaning
- feminine nounmisfortune
Example
¡Qué desgracia! Se me cayó el vaso.
What a misfortune that I dropped the glass.
More examples
Por desgracia, cancelaron la reunión.
Unfortunately, they canceled the meeting.
Core concept
A state of bad luck or misfortune that harms someone.
Common phrases
por desgracia
unfortunately
sufrir una desgracia
suffer a misfortune
qué desgracia
what a misfortune
Similar words
mala suerte: A continuing condition in which unfavorable events happen frequently.
percance: A small accident or hiccup that creates brief trouble.
contratiempo: An unexpected setback that forces a delay in planned activities.
Definition in Spanish
Estado o situación de mala fortuna que perjudica a alguien y se considera un infortunio.
Word origin
From Latin dis- 'not' and gratia 'favor', originally meaning lack of favor and later used in Romance languages to name an adverse event or misfortune.
Usage tips
- Looks like English 'disgrace' but means an unlucky event rather than moral shame, por desgracia is the common 'unfortunately', and desgraciado sounds insulting when used about a person.
Other meanings
- calamitynoun
- disgracenoun
Opposites
- suertegood lucknoun
Related words
- desgraciadounluckyadjective
- desgraciadamenteunfortunatelyadverb