French word

pathétique

Pronunciation

IPA/patetik/

Meaning

  • adjectivepitiful

Example

Cet enfant est pathétique.

This child is pitiful.

Illustration for pathétique (pitiful)

More examples

Il s'est senti pathétique après la remarque.

He felt pathetic after the remark.

Core concept

Someone's weakness exposed so starkly that pity shades into ridicule.

Common phrases

  • se sentir pathétique

    feel pathetic

  • un comportement pathétique

    pathetic behavior

Similar words

pitoyable: So wretched that it arouses strong sympathy.
ridicule: So absurd that it becomes a laughingstock.
piteux: So pitiful and feeble that it is painful to witness.
navrant: Deeply distressing because it is sad and regrettable.

Definition in French

Qui paraît pitoyable ou ridicule parce qu'une faiblesse ou une attitude excessive est mise en évidence.

Word origin

French pathétique comes through Latin patheticus from Greek pathētikos, formed from pathos, meaning suffering or emotion.

Usage tips

  • French pathétique often sounds contemptuous, whereas English pathetic can also mean emotionally moving or merely inadequate.

Other meanings

  • poignantadjective
  • patheticadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word