French Conversation · Level 56
75 words
French word
carnage
Pronunciation
IPA/kaʁnaʒ/
Meaning
- masculine nounslaughter
Example
La guerre a laissé derrière elle un terrible carnage.
The war left terrible slaughter in its wake.
More examples
Après l'explosion, la place ressemblait à un carnage.
After the explosion, the square looked like a massacre.
Core concept
The chaotic aftermath of a slaughter, with widespread destruction and many victims.
Common phrases
provoquer un carnage
cause a massacre
scène de carnage
scene of a massacre
victimes du carnage
victims of the massacre
Similar words
massacre: The indiscriminate killing of many people in a single event or attack.
tuerie: A brutal attack or incident that leaves many people dead.
bain de sang: A horrific situation involving massive bloodshed and many deaths.
Definition in French
Grand massacre produisant de nombreuses victimes et laissant derrière lui une scène de désolation et de sang.
Word origin
The French noun carnage developed from Old French and is related to carne, 'flesh', from Latin caro, carnis.
Usage tips
- French carnage also has a figurative informal use for a disastrous mess or crushing defeat, as in C'était un carnage.