French Conversation · Level 171
15 words
French word
amertume
Pronunciation
IPA/amɛʁtym/
Meaning
- feminine nounbitter taste
Example
Ce chocolat a beaucoup d'amertume.
This chocolate has a strong bitter taste.
More examples
Après sa démission, elle a exprimé son amertume.
After her resignation, she expressed her bitterness.
Core concept
Bitterness left behind, on the tongue from food or in the mind from a hurt or disappointment.
Common phrases
une pointe d'amertume
a hint of bitterness
exprimer son amertume
express one's bitterness
note d'amertume
a note of bitterness
Similar words
déception: The feeling of disappointment when expected results fail to materialize.
regret: A feeling of sorrow over a past event involving oneself or someone else.
rancune: A long-held grudge marked by resentment and an inability to forgive.
ressentiment: A deep resentment built up from mounting dissatisfaction and anger.
Definition in French
État de rancœur ou de déception amère ; par analogie, goût amer ressenti en bouche.
Word origin
French amertume continues Old French forms descended from Latin amaritudo, "bitterness," itself formed from amarus, "bitter."
Usage tips
- The emotional sense of amertume is more formal and expressive than déception, and it often suggests resentment rather than simple disappointment.