tiếc thay
Definition
- Adverb (used at the beginning of a sentence):
- Alas / Unfortunately / Regrettably: Used to express sorrow, disappointment, or regret about a situation that is being stated. It introduces a lament or a piece of unfortunate information.
Usage Examples
- Adverb:
- Tiếc thay, chúng tôi đã đến quá muộn. (Alas, we arrived too late.)
- Anh ấy rất thông minh. Tiếc thay, anh ấy lại lười biếng. (He is very intelligent. Unfortunately, he is lazy.)
- Tiếc thay, cơ hội đó đã không còn nữa. (Regrettably, that opportunity is gone.)
Advanced Usage
- "Tiếc thay" is a fixed literary or formal expression. It is often used in written Vietnamese, storytelling, or formal speech to convey a sense of lament. It is not typically used in casual, everyday conversation where "thật tiếc" (what a pity) or "đáng tiếc" (unfortunate) might be more common.
Variants and Related Words
- Tiếc (adj): to regret, to feel sorry about something.
- Tôi rất tiếc về sự việc đó. (I deeply regret that incident.)
- Thật đáng tiếc (phrase): It is truly a pity/unfortunate.
- Thật đáng tiếc khi dự án bị hủy. (It is truly unfortunate that the project was canceled.)
- Than ôi (interjection): Alas, woe (an older, more poetic synonym expressing grief).
Synonyms
- Alas: Used to express grief, pity, or concern.
- Unfortunately: Used to say that something is sad, disappointing, or has a bad effect.
- Regrettably: Used to express that something is unfortunate and to be regretted.
Related Idioms
- "Tiếc thay hạt mưa, hạt ngọc lại rơi": A poetic idiom meaning "Alas, the raindrop, the pearl falls again," expressing regret over something precious being lost or wasted. It laments a missed opportunity or loss.