Meaning 1neutral; serious and literary contexts · 82%
Involving a deeply unfortunate event that causes sorrow or distress.
Natural examples
Der Film erzählt von einem tragischen Missverständnis.
The film tells of a tragic misunderstanding.
Zum Glück nahm der Unfall keinen tragischen Ausgang.
Fortunately, the accident did not end tragically.
Sie spielte die tragische Hauptfigur sehr überzeugend.
She played the tragic lead very convincingly.
Usage note
Tragisch commonly describes an event, outcome, or dramatic role and can be compared: tragischer, am tragischsten.
Mini-lesson: tragisch
Involving a deeply unfortunate event that causes sorrow or distress. Tragisch commonly describes an event, outcome, or dramatic role and can be compared: tragischer, am tragischsten.
Check your learning
Choose one answer.Which definition matches «tragisch»?