Bagatelle (en. Trifle)

/ba.ɡa.tɛl/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

A small thing of no importance.

This is a trifle compared to more serious issues.

Il s'agit d'une bagatelle à côté des problèmes plus sérieux.

Also refers to a board game, often billiards.

We played bagatelle after dinner.

Nous avons joué à la bagatelle après le dîner.

Can also mean a light and pleasant melody.

This trifle by Mozart is very cheerful.

Cette bagatelle de Mozart est très joyeuse.

Comes from Old French 'bagatelle', meaning 'thing of little importance'.

trifling amount of money

A small sum of money of little importance.

bagatelle d'argent

to make a trifle

To act lightly or without seriousness.

faire une bagatelle

to consider it a trifle

To not attach importance to it.

considérer cela comme une bagatelle

trifle

Thing of no importance.

broutille

futility

State of being futile or valueless.

futilité

trivial

Small thing, substance of little importance.

Thing of no interest, often used to refer to a light subject.

It's just a trifle, don't worry about it.

C'est juste une bagatelle, ne t'en fais pas pour ça.

Pocket money or small sum of money.

I don't have enough to go out, it's just trifles.

Je n'ai pas assez pour sortir, c'est que des bagatelles.