Meaning of "calamity" in English

A "calamity" refers to an event that causes great and often sudden damage or distress; it is a disaster of significant magnitude. The term is commonly used to describe natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, or other tragic occurrences that result in widespread suffering or hardship. Calamities can be personal, affecting an individual or a small group, or on a larger scale, impacting entire communities or countries. This word carries a serious and urgent connotation, reflecting dire situations that require immediate attention or response.

Meaning of "calamité" in French

In French, "calamité" is used to describe an event that brings great distress or misfortune, similar to its English counterpart. It typically refers to catastrophes or severe disasters that cause substantial damage and suffering. The term is often used in contexts describing natural phenomena like hurricanes or man-made tragedies that lead to significant loss. As in English, "calamité" conveys a sense of urgency and the drastic impact of the event it describes, which goes beyond regular adversity to indicate a more serious predicament.

Pronunciation of "calamity" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /kəˈlæm.ɪ.ti/

Pronunciation Variations: In different English dialects, such as British and American English, the pronunciation of "calamity" remains relatively consistent, though slight variations may exist in intonation or stress patterns. Generally, emphasis is placed on the second syllable.

Pronunciation of "calamité" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /ka.la.mi.te/

Pronunciation Variations: In French-speaking regions, "calamité" is typically pronounced with the emphasis on the last syllable. Regional accents might slightly alter the vowel sounds, but the overall pronunciation remains largely consistent in standard French.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

  1. The earthquake was a calamity that the city struggled to recover from. (Le tremblement de terre était une calamité dont la ville a eu du mal à se remettre.)

  2. Losing his job was a personal calamity for him. (Perdre son emploi a été une calamité personnelle pour lui.)

  3. The calamity of the floods left many people homeless. (La calamité des inondations a laissé de nombreuses personnes sans abri.)

  4. They were warned of the impending calamity but did not take it seriously. (Ils ont été avertis de la calamité imminente mais ne l'ont pas prise au sérieux.)

  5. The economic downturn was described as a global calamity. (Le ralentissement économique a été décrit comme une calamité mondiale.)

  6. Despite the calamity, the community came together to rebuild. (Malgré la calamité, la communauté s'est réunie pour reconstruire.)

  7. The film depicted the calamity of war with stark realism. (Le film a dépeint la calamité de la guerre avec un réalisme saisissant.)

  8. Her illness was a calamity that changed the course of their lives. (Sa maladie était une calamité qui a changé le cours de leurs vies.)

  9. The accident on the highway was a sudden calamity for commuters. (L'accident sur l'autoroute a été une calamité soudaine pour les navetteurs.)

  10. The calamity brought unexpected challenges to the leadership. (La calamité a apporté des défis inattendus à la direction.)

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "calamity" in English

Synonyms: disaster, catastrophe, misfortune, tragedy, cataclysm, upheaval, adversity, hardship, woe, crisis.

Antonyms: blessing, fortune, success, prosperity, advantage, benefit, luck, comfort, ease, boon.

Similar Words: mishap, trouble, misadventure, blow, setback, dilemma, fiasco, downfall, wreck, hazard.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "calamité" in French

Synonyms: désastre, catastrophe, malheur, tragédie, cataclysme, drame, fléau, infortune, épreuve, crise.

Antonyms: bénédiction, chance, succès, prospérité, avantage, bénéfice, bonheur, soulagement, aisance, atout.

Similar Words: incident, mésaventure, difficulté, revers, échec, embarras, péril, naufrage, mésaventure, obstacle.

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