trágico
“trágico” means “tragic” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
tragic, disastrous
Also: fatal, grievous
📝 In Action
Fue un accidente trágico; muchas familias perdieron a sus seres queridos.
B1It was a tragic accident; many families lost their loved ones.
El final de la película fue trágico y todos lloraron.
B1The end of the movie was tragic and everyone cried.
La decisión tuvo consecuencias trágicas para la economía.
B2The decision had disastrous consequences for the economy.
tragic
Also: dramatic
📝 In Action
Sófocles fue un dramaturgo trágico de la antigua Grecia.
C1Sophocles was a tragic playwright from ancient Greece.
El conflicto trágico entre el héroe y su destino es central en esta obra.
C2The tragic conflict between the hero and his destiny is central to this work.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: trágico
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the feminine form of 'trágico'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word *tragicus*, which itself derives from the Greek word *tragikós*, meaning 'pertaining to tragedy.' The original Greek meaning is linked to goats (*trágos*), perhaps because goats were sacrificed during ancient dramatic festivals.
First recorded: 15th century (in Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change 'trágico' for feminine nouns?
You change the -o ending to -a. So, for a feminine noun like 'situación' (situation), you would say 'situación trágica'.
Can 'trágico' be used lightly, or is it always serious?
'Trágico' is almost always used for genuinely serious, sad, or fatal events. It is much stronger than just 'bad' or 'sad,' so reserve it for major emotional impacts.