“Unfortunately” in French

The word for “unfortunately” in French is:

malheureusement

Pronounced: [ma.lœ.ʁø.zə.mɑ̃]

It is an adverb used to express regret, bad luck, or disappointment.

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Example Sentences

1. Malheureusement, il pleut aujourd’hui.
   Unfortunately, it’s raining today.

2. Je ne peux pas venir, malheureusement.
   I can’t come, unfortunately.

3. Malheureusement, il a raté son examen.
   Unfortunately, he failed his exam.

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Word Breakdown

• malheureux / malheureuse – unhappy / unfortunate

• -ment – common adverb ending (like “-ly” in English)

So malheureusement literally means: “in an unfortunate way.”

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Synonyms / Related Expressions

• par malchance – by bad luck

• hélas – alas (more literary or dramatic)

• c’est dommage – it’s a pity

• tant pis – too bad / oh well

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10 usage examples with translations

1. Malheureusement, ce n’est pas possible.
   Unfortunately, that’s not possible.

2. Il a malheureusement oublié son rendez-vous.
   He unfortunately forgot his appointment.

3. Malheureusement, je n’ai pas le temps.
   Unfortunately, I don’t have the time.

4. Ce projet est malheureusement annulé.
   This project is unfortunately canceled.

5. Elle a malheureusement perdu ses clés.
   She unfortunately lost her keys.

6. Malheureusement, le train est en retard.
   Unfortunately, the train is late.

7. C’est, malheureusement, la vérité.
   It is, unfortunately, the truth.

8. Malheureusement, tout le monde ne peut pas gagner.
   Unfortunately, not everyone can win.

9. Il était, malheureusement, trop tard.
   It was, unfortunately, too late.

10. Malheureusement, il n’y a plus de billets.
    Unfortunately, there are no more tickets.