可惜【kěxī】

it's a pity, what a shame, unfortunately, too bad, kexi

Regret that something good was missed or wasted, "it's a pity" or "unfortunately". As a predicate or at the head of a clause: 。 is "unfortunately he's not in today".

HSK 4

AI-generated

Structure

可惜 + [clause]

[clause]，(真 / 太) 可惜了

可惜的是 + [clause]

Description

可惜 at the start of a clause means "unfortunately". It usually follows something good, then names what spoils it.

，。

This book is good, but it's a pity it's so long.

。

Unfortunately he's not in today.

As a comment

As a predicate, 可惜 is an adjective: 真可惜, 太可惜了, 很可惜. It sums up a whole situation.

，。

It's a shame you can't come.

，。

Such a good chance gone – what a pity.

可惜的是 is the written version of the opening, with the regret named first.

，。

Regrettably, the plan was never completed.

It also covers waste: throwing away good food, or a talent not used.

，。

It'd be a waste to throw away this much food.

Not a feeling

可惜 describes the situation, not the person. 我很可惜 doesn't mean "I'm sorry" or "I feel bad"; put 可惜 on the situation.

× 我很可惜你不能来 → 很可惜，你不能来

Examples

，。

This book is good, but it's a pity it's so long.

。

Unfortunately he's not in today.

，。

It's a shame you can't come.

，。

Such a good chance gone – what a pity.

，。

Regrettably, the plan was never completed.

，。

It'd be a waste to throw away this much food.

，。

Unfortunately, by the time we arrived the film had already started.

，。

He sings so well – it's a shame he isn't a singer.

，。

That restaurant is great, but sadly it's too far from my place.

，。

Anna really wanted to go, but unfortunately she couldn't get a ticket.

，。

Missed the pass mark by one point – what a shame.

，。

The weather's lovely, but unfortunately I have to work.

可不是吗 / 可不是 / 可不

同时 / 在…的同时