French word

calvaire

Pronunciation

IPA/kalvɛʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounordeal

Example

Après des heures d'attente, c'était un calvaire.

After hours of waiting, it was an ordeal.

Illustration for calvaire (ordeal)

More examples

Le trajet en bus est devenu un calvaire chaque matin.

The bus ride has become an ordeal every morning.

Core concept

A burdened journey that seems to have no relief, with each stage adding to the suffering.

Common phrases

  • être un calvaire

    be an ordeal

  • passer un calvaire

    go through an ordeal

  • un calvaire quotidien

    a daily ordeal

Similar words

problème: A basic problem requiring resolution or attention.
difficulté: A difficulty that obstructs progress and calls for extra effort.
galère: A difficult, hassle-filled situation described in informal language.
cauchemar: An ordeal so distressing that it resembles a nightmare.

Definition in French

Suite continue d'obstacles ou de souffrances rendant une situation pénible à vivre.

Word origin

The French noun calvaire comes through Old French from Latin calvaria, 'skull', and its figurative sense grew from the suffering associated with Calvary.

Usage tips

  • Calvaire is masculine, so the usual article is un, as in un calvaire and c'est un calvaire.

Other meanings

  • hardshipnoun
  • trialnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word