Bedeutung
An exclamation of strong regret or disappointment.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In France, 'Quel dommage !' is often the start of a longer conversation about what went wrong. It's a social bonding tool. In Quebec, you might also hear 'C'est plate' to express that something is a pity or boring/disappointing. Belgian French uses 'Quel dommage' similarly to France, but you might hear 'C'est dommage de...' followed by an infinitive more frequently in casual speech. In many West African countries, 'Quel dommage' is used, but it's often accompanied by specific clicks or vocalizations of sympathy that are culturally unique.
The Subjunctive Trigger
Whenever you add 'que' after 'dommage', prepare your brain for the subjunctive mood!
Scale of Tragedy
Don't use this for serious accidents. It makes you sound like you don't care about the severity.
Bedeutung
An exclamation of strong regret or disappointment.
The Subjunctive Trigger
Whenever you add 'que' after 'dommage', prepare your brain for the subjunctive mood!
Scale of Tragedy
Don't use this for serious accidents. It makes you sound like you don't care about the severity.
Sarcasm Check
A flat tone with 'Quel dommage' is a common way for French people to be sarcastic. Use a rising, sympathetic tone to be sincere.
The Shrug
Pair this phrase with a slight shoulder shrug and a pout for the full French effect.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct exclamative adjective to complete the phrase.
_______ dommage que tu ne puisses pas venir !
'Dommage' is a masculine singular noun, so it requires the masculine singular adjective 'Quel'.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'être' (Subjunctive).
C'est dommage que le restaurant _______ fermé aujourd'hui.
'C'est dommage que' triggers the subjunctive mood. 'Soit' is the third-person singular present subjunctive of 'être'.
Match the situation to the most appropriate reaction.
Your friend lost their keys.
Losing keys is a minor misfortune where 'Quel dommage !' expresses appropriate sympathy.
Fill in the missing line in the dialogue.
A: Je n'ai plus de batterie sur mon téléphone. B: ________________
A simple exclamation is the most natural response to a minor tech issue.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Quel dommage vs Tant pis
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben_______ dommage que tu ne puisses pas venir !
'Dommage' is a masculine singular noun, so it requires the masculine singular adjective 'Quel'.
C'est dommage que le restaurant _______ fermé aujourd'hui.
'C'est dommage que' triggers the subjunctive mood. 'Soit' is the third-person singular present subjunctive of 'être'.
Your friend lost their keys.
Losing keys is a minor misfortune where 'Quel dommage !' expresses appropriate sympathy.
A: Je n'ai plus de batterie sur mon téléphone. B: ________________
A simple exclamation is the most natural response to a minor tech issue.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenIt's neutral! You can use it with your boss, your grandma, or your best friend.
No, that's a literal translation from English. Stick to 'C'est dommage' or 'Quel dommage'.
'Quel dommage' is about the regret. 'Tant pis' is about the acceptance ('Oh well').
Because 'dommage' is a masculine noun. Even though it ends in 'e', it's a boy!
No, it's too light. Use 'Je suis désolé' or 'Mes condoléances'.
Not for the exclamation. You only use the plural 'dommages' when talking about physical damage or legal compensation.
You can say 'Quel grand dommage !' or 'C'est vraiment trop dommage !'.
In writing, yes, to show it's an exclamation. In a sentence like 'C'est dommage que...', no.
'C'est la loose' or 'C'est trop nul' are common casual alternatives.
Yes, but they also love 'C'est plate'.
Yes, it's a common way to show sympathy for a friend's specific problem.
'C'est dommage' is slightly more common in full sentences, while 'Quel dommage !' is the king of quick reactions.
Verwandte Redewendungen
C'est dommage
similarIt's a pity
Tant pis
contrastOh well / Never mind
Quel malheur
specialized formWhat a misfortune
C'est bête
synonymThat's silly/a shame
Dommageable
builds onHarmful/Regrettable
