terrible experience
تجربة فظيعة
Use this phrase to describe a situation that was deeply frustrating or poorly handled by others.
Em 15 segundos
- Used to describe a very negative or frustrating event.
- Common in customer service complaints and personal stories.
- Stronger than 'bad' but weaker than 'traumatic'.
Significado
This phrase describes a situation that was very unpleasant, painful, or frustrating. It is your go-to way to tell someone that something went completely wrong.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Reviewing a restaurant
The food was cold and the waiter was rude; it was a terrible experience.
كان الطعام بارداً والنادل فظاً؛ لقد كانت تجربة فظيعة.
Talking to a friend about a flight
My flight was delayed for ten hours—what a terrible experience!
تأخرت رحلتي لمدة عشر ساعات - يا لها من تجربة فظيعة!
Formal complaint to a manager
I am writing to report a terrible experience I had at your branch today.
أنا أكتب للإبلاغ عن تجربة فظيعة مررت بها في فرعكم اليوم.
Contexto cultural
This phrase is the cornerstone of modern 'review culture' in the US and UK. It reflects a cultural expectation for efficiency and politeness in public life. Interestingly, British speakers might use it with 'bit of a' to downplay it, while Americans tend to use it directly to emphasize their point.
The 'Had' Rule
Always pair it with the verb 'to have'. You 'had' a terrible experience; you didn't 'did' one.
Don't confuse with 'Terrific'
Be careful! 'Terrific' sounds similar but means 'wonderful'. Saying 'I had a terrific experience' at a funeral would be a huge mistake.
Em 15 segundos
- Used to describe a very negative or frustrating event.
- Common in customer service complaints and personal stories.
- Stronger than 'bad' but weaker than 'traumatic'.
What It Means
Terrible experience is a powerful way to describe a bad time. It means something was far below your expectations. It implies you felt stressed, unhappy, or even angry. It is stronger than just saying something was 'bad.' It suggests a lasting negative memory. Imagine ordering a pizza that arrives two hours late and cold. That is a terrible experience for your stomach and your mood.
How To Use It
You can use it as a noun phrase. It often follows verbs like had or was. For example, 'I had a terrible experience at the bank.' You can also use it to warn others. 'Don't go to that shop; it was a terrible experience.' It works for big things like a bad vacation. It also works for small things like a rude waiter. Use it when you want people to feel your frustration.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to be clear about your dissatisfaction. It is perfect for writing online reviews for hotels or apps. Use it with friends when venting about a bad date. It is also useful in professional settings to report a serious problem. If a software update breaks your computer, that is a terrible experience. It signals that the situation needs to be fixed immediately.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it for very minor inconveniences. If you drop your pen, that is not a terrible experience. That is just a 'minor annoyance.' Using it for tiny things makes you sound a bit dramatic. Also, do not use it for tragic life events like a death. In those cases, words like 'tragedy' or 'loss' are more appropriate. Keep it for services, events, and interactions.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, people value good customer service. Because of this, terrible experience is often used in consumer contexts. We live in an 'experience economy' now. People do not just buy products; they buy the feeling of the transaction. If the feeling is bad, the phrase comes out. It is the ultimate 'one-star review' phrase. It carries the weight of a formal complaint but stays conversational.
Common Variations
You might hear people say horrible experience or awful experience. These are almost identical in meaning. If you want to sound more casual, you might say it was a nightmare. If you want to be very formal, you could say it was an unsatisfactory encounter. However, terrible experience is the most balanced version. It is clear, strong, and understood by everyone instantly.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral and versatile. It is safe for work, school, and home. Just be careful not to over-use it for small problems, or people might think you complain too much.
The 'Had' Rule
Always pair it with the verb 'to have'. You 'had' a terrible experience; you didn't 'did' one.
Don't confuse with 'Terrific'
Be careful! 'Terrific' sounds similar but means 'wonderful'. Saying 'I had a terrific experience' at a funeral would be a huge mistake.
The British Understatement
If a British person says a situation was 'a bit of a terrible experience,' they usually mean it was a total disaster.
Exemplos
6The food was cold and the waiter was rude; it was a terrible experience.
كان الطعام بارداً والنادل فظاً؛ لقد كانت تجربة فظيعة.
Focuses on service and quality.
My flight was delayed for ten hours—what a terrible experience!
تأخرت رحلتي لمدة عشر ساعات - يا لها من تجربة فظيعة!
Expressing shared frustration.
I am writing to report a terrible experience I had at your branch today.
أنا أكتب للإبلاغ عن تجربة فظيعة مررت بها في فرعكم اليوم.
Used to initiate a formal resolution.
He talked about his cat for three hours. Terrible experience. 0/10.
تحدث عن قطته لمدة ثلاث ساعات. تجربة فظيعة. 0/10.
Uses humor and hyperbole.
I had a terrible experience at the dentist because the anesthesia didn't work.
لقد مررت بتجربة فظيعة عند طبيب الأسنان لأن التخدير لم يعمل.
Relates to physical discomfort and stress.
Don't download that update; I had a terrible experience with it crashing.
لا تقم بتحميل هذا التحديث؛ لقد مررت بتجربة فظيعة مع تعطل البرنامج.
Giving advice based on a negative event.
Teste-se
Choose the best word to complete the sentence regarding a bad hotel stay.
The room was dirty and the staff ignored us; it was a ___ experience.
'Terrible' fits the negative context of dirt and being ignored.
Complete the sentence to warn a friend.
I ___ a terrible experience at that hair salon last week.
In English, we 'have' experiences, we don't 'make' or 'do' them.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality of 'Terrible Experience'
Used with friends about small things.
That movie was a nightmare.
Perfect for reviews and stories.
It was a terrible experience.
Used in official letters.
The service was entirely unsatisfactory.
Where to use 'Terrible Experience'
Customer Service
Long hold times on the phone.
Travel
Lost luggage and canceled flights.
Technology
Apps crashing and losing data.
Social
A very awkward or rude encounter.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it is acceptable if you are describing a genuine problem. It clearly communicates that you are unhappy with a service.
Usually, we use it for events or periods of time. Instead of saying 'He is a terrible experience,' say 'Meeting him was a terrible experience.'
'Terrible' is much stronger. 'Bad' is a 3/10, but 'terrible' is a 1/10.
You can add 'absolutely' before it. For example: 'It was an absolutely terrible experience.'
Yes, it is very common in texting to vent about something that went wrong.
Usually no. It is almost always used in the past tense to describe something that already occurred.
You could use dreadful ordeal or harrowing experience, though these are much more dramatic.
Yes, it is extremely common in both American and British English.
Yes, if a medical procedure was painful, you can say 'The surgery was a terrible experience.'
Use 'a' because 'terrible' starts with a consonant sound. Example: a terrible experience.
Frases relacionadas
Nightmare scenario
The worst possible thing that could happen.
Bad call
A poor decision that led to a bad result.
Total disaster
Something that failed completely and miserably.
Unpleasant encounter
A slightly more polite way to say you didn't like meeting someone.
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