When you're feeling down or experiencing sadness, you might hear or use the French phrase avec chagrin. It literally translates to "with sorrow" or "with grief." This expression is useful when you want to describe doing something or reacting in a way that shows sadness or regret.
For example, if someone leaves a place they love, they might leave avec chagrin. It's a way to express that there's a strong feeling of unhappiness accompanying an action.
Examples by Level
Elle a appris la nouvelle avec chagrin.
She learned the news with sorrow.
Feminine singular noun 'nouvelle' (news) followed by 'avec chagrin'.
Il a accepté sa défaite avec chagrin, mais aussi avec dignité.
He accepted his defeat with grief, but also with dignity.
Masculine singular noun 'défaite' (defeat) followed by 'avec chagrin'. 'Mais aussi' means 'but also'.
Nous avons regardé le départ du train avec chagrin.
We watched the train's departure with sorrow.
Masculine singular noun 'départ' (departure) followed by 'avec chagrin'.
Le vieil homme se souvenait de son passé avec chagrin.
The old man remembered his past with grief.
Masculine singular noun 'passé' (past) followed by 'avec chagrin'. 'Se souvenir de' means 'to remember'.
Elle a dû quitter sa maison d'enfance avec chagrin.
She had to leave her childhood home with sorrow.
Feminine singular noun 'maison' (house) followed by 'avec chagrin'. 'Dû' is the past participle of 'devoir' (to have to).
Ils ont enterré leur animal de compagnie avec chagrin.
They buried their pet with grief.
Masculine singular noun 'animal de compagnie' (pet) followed by 'avec chagrin'. 'Enterrer' means 'to bury'.
Le silence dans la pièce était lourd, rempli d'un chagrin palpable.
The silence in the room was heavy, filled with a palpable sorrow.
Here 'chagrin' is used as a noun, not as part of the adverbial phrase. 'Rempli de' means 'filled with'.
Malgré son chagrin, elle a trouvé la force de continuer.
Despite her grief, she found the strength to continue.
Similar to the previous example, 'chagrin' is used as a noun. 'Malgré' means 'despite'.
Test Yourself 12 questions
Choose the most appropriate synonym for "avec chagrin" in the following sentence: "Elle a accepté la nouvelle ___."
"Avec chagrin" means "with sorrow" or "with grief." "Avec tristesse" directly translates to "with sadness," making it the closest synonym.
Which of these phrases expresses a similar sentiment to "avec chagrin"?
"Avec amertume" means "with bitterness," which often stems from sorrow or grief, making it a close emotional equivalent.
In which situation would someone most likely act "avec chagrin"?
Attending a funeral of a loved one is a situation inherently associated with sorrow and grief, aligning perfectly with the meaning of "avec chagrin."
If someone says they departed "avec chagrin," it implies they were happy to leave.
"Avec chagrin" signifies sadness or grief, so departing with this emotion means they were unhappy to leave.
The phrase "avec chagrin" can be used to describe a feeling of deep regret.
Deep regret can often be accompanied by sorrow or grief, making "avec chagrin" an appropriate descriptor for such a feeling.
You would typically use "avec chagrin" to express excitement about an upcoming event.
"Avec chagrin" conveys sadness and grief, which are the opposite of excitement. It would be inappropriate to use it in such a context.
Choose the sentence where 'avec chagrin' is used appropriately:
'Avec chagrin' implies sorrow or grief. Accepting difficult news fits this emotional state, while preparing dinner, celebrating, or playing in the park do not.
Which of the following emotions is most closely associated with 'avec chagrin'?
'Avec chagrin' directly translates to 'with sorrow' or 'with grief,' making 'la tristesse' (sadness) the most accurate association.
In which situation would someone most likely express themselves 'avec chagrin'?
'Avec chagrin' signifies an expression of sorrow or grief, which is most fitting in the context of a loss or misfortune.
Saying goodbye to a loved one for a long time might be done 'avec chagrin'.
Parting from a loved one for an extended period often evokes feelings of sorrow or grief, aligning with the meaning of 'avec chagrin'.
Celebrating a birthday is typically done 'avec chagrin'.
Birthdays are generally occasions for joy and celebration, not sorrow or grief. Therefore, celebrating 'avec chagrin' would be contradictory.
One might read a touching letter 'avec chagrin' if its content is deeply sad.
Reading a letter with deeply sad content would naturally elicit feelings of sorrow, which is expressed by 'avec chagrin'.
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