Tarnation Meaning in English
word
Definition
An old-fashioned, mild exclamation used to show surprise, anger, or frustration. Similar to saying 'damnation' or 'darn'.
Usage & Nuances
"Tarnation" is very old-fashioned and mostly heard in country, Southern U.S., or humorous contexts today. It's milder than actual curses, and usually used for colorful or comic effect. Not common in modern conversation.
Spanish: ¡maldita sea! - condenación (arcaico)Portuguese (BR): caramba! - danação (arcaico)Portuguese (PT): caramba! - danação (arcaico)Chinese (Simplified): 见鬼! - 该死!（古旧用法）Chinese (Traditional): 見鬼! - 該死!（古舊用法）Hindi: क्या बकवास है! - धिक्कार (पुराना)Arabic: اللعنة! - اللعنة (قديم)Bengali: ধাঁধা (পুরনো আমলের বিস্ময়সূচক শব্দ) - এটা কী বিয়াপার!Russian: чёрт побери (старомодное смягчённое выражение) - чтоб егоJapanese: なんてこった（昔風の驚き・怒りの表現）Vietnamese: trời đất (cách cảm thán xưa, nhẹ nhàng)Korean: 이런 세상에 (옛날식 감탄사)Turkish: hay aksi (eski moda hafif küfür)Urdu: افّوہ (پرانا فقرہ، ہلکی تعجب یا غصہ ظاہر کرنے کو)Indonesian: astaga (ungkapan kuno, ringan) - astaghfirullah (tidak terlalu kasar)
Example Sentences
Tarnation! Where did I put my keys?
basic
What in tarnation is that noise?
basic
Why in tarnation did you do that?
basic
Well, tarnation, I wasn't expecting that outcome at all.
natural
He yelled, 'Tarnation! Watch where you're going!'
natural
If you ever hear someone say 'tarnation', they're probably joking or pretending to be old-fashioned.
natural