desgracias

Desgracias is the plural form of desgracia, a Spanish noun that typically denotes misfortune, calamity, or an unfavorable event. The term can refer to multiple adverse occurrences collectively or to a single unfortunate incident, and in some contexts it may also convey a sense of disgrace or shame.

Etymology and related terms: Desgracia is built from des- (a negative or privative prefix) and gracia (grace or favor). Historically, the word carried the sense of losing grace or favor, but in modern usage it overwhelmingly points to misfortune or unpleasant circumstances. Related terms in Spanish include mala suerte (bad luck), calamidad (calamity), and infortunio (misfortune). The Portuguese cognate is desgraça, with a parallel range of meanings.

Usage and translation: Desgracias is commonly used to describe misfortunes affecting people or communities, for example in phrases like “las desgracias de la guerra” or “ha sufrido varias desgracias.” The expression por desgracia means “unfortunately.” While desgracia can also imply moral shame in some contexts, the plural desgracias most often refers to unfortunate events rather than moral judgment.

Cultural and linguistic notes: In literature and journalism, desgracias appears in discussions of personal or collective adversity. The term remains neutral and descriptive rather than celebratory, and it is widely understood across Spanish-speaking regions. Synonyms and related phrases vary by region and register, but the core idea remains adverse events or circumstances.