trágico
/TRAH-hee-koh/
tragic
A disaster or sudden loss is considered trágico (tragic).
trágico(Adjective)
tragic
?related to a disaster or death
,disastrous
?describing an outcome
fatal
?describing an accident
,grievous
?describing a loss
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'trágico' must change its ending to match the noun it describes. Use 'trágica' for feminine singular nouns (e.g., 'una noticia trágica') and 'trágicos' or 'trágicas' for plural nouns.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Adjective and Adverb
Mistake: "Habló trágico sobre el evento. (Incorrect)"
Correction: Habló trágicamente sobre el evento. (Correct: Use the adverb 'trágicamente' when describing how someone speaks or acts.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Emphasis
This word carries a lot of emotional weight. Use it for truly devastating or mournful situations, not just minor inconveniences.
The word trágico can refer to the art form of tragedy, often represented by the sad theatrical mask.
trágico(Adjective)
tragic
?related to tragedy as an art form
dramatic
?pertaining to drama (specifically tragedy)
📝 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.
⭐ Usage Tips
Literary Context
When you use 'trágico' in this sense, you are usually talking about theater, literature, or classical stories, not everyday sadness.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: trágico
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the feminine form of 'trágico'?
📚 More Resources
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.