How to say "unfortunate" in Japanese

• 残念ざんねんJLPT N4approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'unfortunate' in the sense of a disappointing, regrettable outcome — something did not turn out as hoped. Typical when expressing disappointment over results, plans, or news.
  お伺うかがいできないのが残念ざんねんです。↗

  I regret to say I can't come.
• 惜しいおしいJLPT N2approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers 'unfortunate' when something falls just short of success or something valuable is lost or wasted. The nuance is regret over how close it came, a near miss.
  あなたほどの才能さいのうの持ち主もちぬしが世間せけんに知しられずにいるのは惜おしいことです。↗

  It is a pity that a man of your ability should remain unknown to the world.
• 気の毒きのどくJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'unfortunate' as in feeling sorry for someone struck by misfortune — 'poor thing.' Use it to express sympathy for a person's suffering rather than disappointment over a result.
  私わたしたちはその老夫婦ろうふうふを気の毒きのどくに思おもった。↗

  We were sorry for the old couple.

Use 残念 for a disappointing, regrettable outcome, 「惜しい」 for something that falls just short or is wasted, and 「気の毒」 for feeling sympathy toward a person's misfortune.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 残念ざんねんregrettable
• 惜しいおしいregrettable
• 気の毒きのどくpitiful
• 薄幸はっこうunfortunate
• 幸薄いさちうすいunfortunate
• 幸薄さちうすnot blessed with happiness
• 因果いんがunfortunate
• 本意ないほいないunfortunate
• 間が悪いまがわるいinconvenient
• いけないunfortunate
• いけんunfortunate