French word

triste

Pronunciation

IPA/tʁist/

Meaning

  • adjectivesad

Example

Il a l'air triste.

He looks sad.

Illustration for triste (sad)

More examples

Après la nouvelle, elle est restée triste toute la journée.

After the news, she remained sad all day.

Core concept

A person carrying a quiet weight of sorrow.

Common phrases

  • être triste

    be sad

  • se sentir triste

    feel sad

Similar words

malheureux: Feeling unhappy and distressed because of misfortune or unwanted events.
déçu: Feeling disappointed because hopes or expectations were not fulfilled.
déprimé: Feeling persistently low and lacking motivation in daily life.
bouleversé: Feeling deeply shaken and unable to regain emotional calm after a strong shock.

Definition in French

Qui éprouve de la peine ou paraît affecté par le chagrin.

Word origin

Triste comes from Latin tristis through Old French, retaining the older word's meaning of sorrowful or gloomy.

Usage tips

  • Être triste describes an emotional state, while avoir l'air triste describes a sad appearance or impression.

Other meanings

  • melancholyadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word