Definition

Interjection: * What a pity!: An exclamation expressing regret, disappointment, or sympathy over a loss, waste, or unfortunate situation. It conveys a sense of "What a shame!" or "That's too bad!"

Usage Examples

• Interjection:
  • "Hoài của! Cái bút đẹp thế mà gãy." (What a pity! Such a beautiful pen is broken.)
  • "Hoài của! Anh ấy đã bỏ lỡ cơ hội tuyệt vời đó." (What a pity! He missed that great opportunity.)
  • "Hoài của, món quà cô ấy tặng mà tôi làm mất rồi." (What a pity, I lost the gift she gave me.)

Advanced Usage

• Expressing specific regret for waste: The phrase strongly implies that something valuable (the "của" - possession/thing) has been wasted or lost ("hoài"). It's often used when something good is spoiled, broken, or unused.
  • "Thức ăn ngon thế này bỏ đi thì hoài của." (It would be a pity to throw away such delicious food.)
• Used as a standalone exclamation: It can be used by itself in reaction to hearing about a regrettable event.
  • A: "Tôi đã đặt vé xem phim đó nhưng lại quên mất." (I booked tickets for that movie but then forgot all about it.)
  • B: "Ồ, hoài của!" (Oh, what a pity!)

Variants and Related Words

• Tiếc (Adj/Verb): To regret, to feel sorry about something. This is the root sentiment.
  • "Tôi rất tiếc về điều đó." (I deeply regret that.)
• Đáng tiếc (Adj): Regrettable, unfortunate.
  • "Thật là một kết quả đáng tiếc." (It is truly a regrettable outcome.)
• Uổng phí (Verb/Adj): To waste, to be wasteful. Shares the core idea of wastefulness present in "hoài của".
  • "Thật uổng phí thời gian." (It's such a waste of time.)

Synonyms

• Thật tiếc quá!: What a great shame!
• Đáng tiếc thật!: How regrettable!
• Chán nhỉ!: That's too bad! (More casual)

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Tiếc đứt ruột: To regret something intensely (literally: to regret until one's guts are cut).
  • "Ông ấy tiếc đứt ruột vì đã bán căn nhà cũ." (He intensely regrets selling the old house.)
• Hoài hoài: To keep something for a long time without using it, potentially letting it go to waste. This shares the "hoài" (waste) component.
  • "Đừng có hoài hoài chai rượu đó, mang ra uống đi." (Don't just keep that bottle of wine forever, bring it out to drink.)

1. What a pity
   • Hoài của! Cái bút đẹp thế mà gãy
     What a pity to have broken such a beautiful pen!