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How to Say "calamity" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “calamity” is “desastre” — use 'desastre' for general misfortunes or large-scale destructive events, often implying significant damage or loss.

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desastre

deh-SAHS-trehdeˈsastɾe

nounA2general
Use 'desastre' for general misfortunes or large-scale destructive events, often implying significant damage or loss.
A high-quality illustration showing a small wooden house partially destroyed and surrounded by brown floodwaters, symbolizing a natural disaster.

Examples

El terremoto causó un desastre natural en la región.

The earthquake caused a natural disaster in the region.

La reunión fue un completo desastre; nadie estaba preparado.

The meeting was a complete disaster; nobody was prepared.

Gender Check

Even though 'desastre' ends in an '-e,' it is always a masculine noun, meaning you must use 'el' or 'un' before it.

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “La desastre fue terrible.”

Correction: El desastre fue terrible. (Use the masculine article 'el'.)

desgracia

des-GRAH-syadesˈɣɾa.θja

nounA2general
Choose 'desgracia' to refer to a specific unfortunate event or a stroke of bad luck, often with a personal or localized impact.
A colorful illustration showing a small person looking sad, holding a broken umbrella under a localized rain cloud, symbolizing bad luck or misfortune.

Examples

Fue una desgracia que se perdieran todas las cosechas por la tormenta.

It was a misfortune that all the crops were lost due to the storm.

La familia sufrió una gran desgracia cuando se quemó su casa.

The family suffered a great tragedy when their house burned down.

¡Qué desgracia! Se me olvidaron las llaves dentro del coche.

What bad luck! I forgot my keys inside the car.

Using 'Por desgracia'

When you want to express the idea of 'unfortunately,' Spanish speakers use the fixed phrase 'por desgracia' (or the synonym 'desafortunadamente').

Confusing 'desgracia' and 'mala suerte'

Mistake: “Using 'desgracia' for minor bad luck (e.g., 'Perdí mi bus, ¡qué desgracia!').”

Correction: Use 'mala suerte' (bad luck) for small, everyday annoyances. 'Desgracia' usually refers to a serious accident or tragedy.

tragedia

trah-HEH-dee-ahtɾaˈxeðja

nounA2general
Use 'tragedia' when the event is extremely sad, shocking, and often involves loss of life, creating a sense of profound sorrow.
A close-up illustration of a large, brightly colored tear rolling down a simple, sad human face, emphasizing misfortune.

Examples

El accidente de tren fue una tragedia nacional.

The train accident was a national tragedy.

Fue una tragedia que el fuego destruyera la casa familiar.

It was a tragedy that the fire destroyed the family home.

Su muerte prematura es una gran tragedia para la comunidad.

His premature death is a great tragedy for the community.

Gender Check

Remember that 'tragedia' is a feminine noun, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la tragedia', 'una gran tragedia').

catástrofe

nounB1general
Opt for 'catástrofe' when referring to a sudden, large-scale disaster that causes widespread suffering and destruction, often with a more dramatic or impactful tone.

Examples

El terremoto de ayer fue una verdadera catástrofe para la ciudad.

Yesterday's earthquake was a true catastrophe for the city.

Desastre vs. Desgracia

Learners often confuse 'desastre' and 'desgracia'. While both mean misfortune, 'desastre' usually implies a larger, more widespread event with physical destruction, whereas 'desgracia' can refer to a more personal or specific instance of bad luck.

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