French Conversation · Level 79
60 words
French word
désastre
Pronunciation
IPA/dezastʁ/
Meaning
- masculine nouncatastrophe
Example
La soirée s'est transformée en désastre.
The evening turned into a catastrophe.
More examples
Le déménagement a été un désastre.
The move was a disaster.
Core concept
A whole event, undertaking, or situation ends in overwhelming ruin rather than a merely minor mistake.
Common phrases
un désastre
a disaster
un vrai désastre
a real disaster
Similar words
catastrophe: A highly destructive or chaotic event that severely damages society and people's lives.
drame: A serious misfortune or event that causes profound grief or suffering.
fiasco: A plan or occasion that fails badly and produces a humiliating outcome.
échec: The inability to obtain the intended result or accomplish a purpose.
Definition in French
Désigne un événement causant des dégâts ou des pertes très importantes, souvent lié à une catastrophe naturelle, un accident majeur ou un échec total d'un projet.
Word origin
The French noun désastre derives through Italian disastro from Latin disastrum, whose elements dis- and astrum express the idea of an ill-fated star.
Usage tips
- French uses désastre for a failed project or event as well as for physical catastrophe, but the word sounds excessive for a small error.
Opposites
- succèssuccessnoun
Related words
- désastreuxdisastrousadjective
- désastreusementdisastrouslyadverb