French word

tristesse

Pronunciation

IPA/tʁistɛs/

Meaning

  • feminine nounsadness

Example

Je ressens une grande tristesse aujourd'hui.

I feel great sadness today.

Illustration for tristesse (sadness)

More examples

Sa tristesse était visible dans ses yeux.

Her sadness was apparent in her eyes.

Core concept

An inner shadow that makes ordinary moments feel painful and less joyful.

Common phrases

  • une grande tristesse

    great sadness

  • avoir de la tristesse

    feel sadness

Similar words

peine: Emotional pain and heaviness caused by a sad event.
chagrin: Deep sorrow and heartache caused by loss, separation, or heartbreak.
déception: Disappointment felt when expectations are not fulfilled.

Definition in French

Sentiment de peine ou de douleur morale qui diminue la présence de la joie.

Word origin

The noun comes from Old French tristesse and ultimately from Latin tristitia, built on tristis, meaning sad, plus -itia.

Usage tips

  • French commonly expresses the state with être triste or rendre triste, while avoir de la tristesse sounds more literary than everyday speech.

Other meanings

  • sorrownoun
  • melancholynoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word