Meanings of 可惜
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Podcast: 可惜
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AI Study Notes for 可惜
可惜 (kěxī) vs 遗憾 (yíhàn): choose 可惜 for a more casual expression of regret, while 遗憾 conveys a deeper sense of sorrow or loss.
Learners often use 可惜 in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in conversational settings. A common mistake is to confuse it with 可爱 (kě'ài), which means 'cute'; remember that 可惜 relates to regret. Be mindful of the tone; the third tone (ke3) must be pronounced correctly.
As an HSK Level 4 word, 可惜 connects with other emotional expressions and adjectives that convey feelings. Students should focus on using it in sentences to express their feelings about various situations.
Learners sometimes use 可惜 incorrectly in positive contexts, such as saying '可惜这个人很聪明' (It's a pity this person is smart), which is incorrect. The correct usage would be to refer to something unfortunate.
Pronunciation of 可惜
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Component Characters
How to say it is a pity in Chinese
“it is a pity” in Chinese is可惜
可惜 (kěxī) expresses a sense of regret or disappointment about a situation that could have been better. It is commonly used to convey feelings of loss or missed opportunities, often in response to something unfortunate that has occurred.
When to use 可惜
Learners often use 可惜 in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in conversational settings. A common mistake is to confuse it with 可爱 (kě'ài), which means 'cute'; remember that 可惜 relates to regret. Be mindful of the tone; the third tone (ke3) must be pronounced correctly.
可惜 or something close to it
可惜 (kěxī) vs 遗憾 (yíhàn): choose 可惜 for a more casual expression of regret, while 遗憾 conveys a deeper sense of sorrow or loss.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes use 可惜 incorrectly in positive contexts, such as saying '可惜这个人很聪明' (It's a pity this person is smart), which is incorrect. The correct usage would be to refer to something unfortunate.
Write 可惜
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Grammar Patterns of 可惜
可惜 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
让这一切白白浪费掉，真是____了。
It seemed a pity to let it all go to waste.
Example Sentences for 可惜 (10)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 可惜
No, 可惜 should be used to describe situations or events, not people.
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