Dommage

Dommage is a French noun and interjection with two main senses. As a noun, it denotes harm, injury, or loss. As an exclamation, it expresses regret or disappointment, similar to saying “what a pity” or “that’s too bad” in English. In ordinary speech, common phrases include “C’est dommage” and “Quel dommage.” In legal or insurance contexts, the term appears in expressions such as “dommages et intérêts” (damages and compensation) and “dommages corporels” (bodily injuries).

Etymology and usage notes. The word originates in Old French dommage, derived from Latin damnum, meaning loss or harm. It is cognate with the English word damage, reflecting shared Latin roots. The term spans both everyday language and specialized domains, where it carries distinct nuance depending on context—emotional regret in colloquial use, and tangible harm or liability in formal settings.

In culture. In Francophone media, Dommage has been used as a title or thematic element in various works, including songs and films, often leveraging its dual sense of harm and regret. Its compact, versatile meaning makes it a familiar term across literature, music, and cinema, where it can evoke sympathy, disappointment, or the consequences of damage.

See also. Dommages et intérêts; damages (legal term).