Nuance Dictionary / Empathy & Pity

안타깝다 an-ta-kkap-da

Feeling deep pity, sympathy, or regret for someone else's unfortunate situation

What does 안타깝다 mean?

안타깝다 (an-ta-kkap-da) means: Feeling deep pity, sympathy, or regret for someone else's unfortunate situation.

When you see a small business owner working 16 hours a day but still failing due to the economy, you feel '안타깝다'. It's a compassionate frustration wishing things were better for them.
🎙️ 안타깝다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [안타깝따]로 소리나요 (경음화). 발음 연습하기 →

How it's actually used

  • 열심히 준비했는데 실수로 탈락했다니 너무 안타깝다.
    yeolsimhi junbihaetneunde silsuro tallakhaetdani neomu antakkapda.
    It's such a shame that they failed due to a mistake after working so hard to prepare.
    💡 Used to express genuine sympathy, regret, or sorrow over someone's bad luck.
  • 청년 실업 문제가 점점 더 심각해져서 정말 안타깝다.
    cheongnyeon silup munjega jeomjeom deo simgakaejyeoseo jeongmal antakkapda.
    It's deeply regrettable that the youth unemployment problem is getting worse and worse.
    💡 Often used in broader social contexts to express heartfelt concern and sympathy.
  • 열심히 준비한 프로젝트가 마지막 순간에 무산되어서 정말 안타깝다.
    yeolsimhi junbihan peurojekteuga majimak sungane musandoe-seo jeongmal antakkapda.
    It's such a pity that the project we worked so hard on fell through at the last minute.
    💡 Used when expressing genuine regret and sorrow over unfortunate outcomes or wasted efforts.

Related words in Empathy & Pity

딱하다 ttak-ha-da

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