Meaning

Primary

Unfortunate

Alternatives

Too Bad, Regrettable, Disappointing

Word Type

noun, な adjective

Explanation

You have remainder thoughts when your hear about something unfortunate. That's too bad, you think, I wish it could have been different. Those remainder thoughts are a kind of regret, right? That's why this can mean regrettable or disappointing too.

Reading

ざんねん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 少し残念

    a little unfortunate

    とても残念

    very unfortunate

    ちょっと残念

    a bit unfortunate

Context Sentences

それは残念すぎますね。

That's so unfortunate.

折角のチャンスだったのに、残念です。

It was such a rare chance, so it's too bad that I missed it.

残念ながら、そのようですね。

Unfortunately, it seems that's right.

Kanji Composition