惜しかったね
oshikatta ne
The Japanese phrase for "nice try" is 惜しかったね (oshikatta ne).
惜しかったね is used when someone almost succeeded at a task or goal, expressing that the result was very close to being successful, similar to saying "so close."
Meaning: Translations (intj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To make the phrase polite and suitable for use with superiors or people you are not close to, you can say 惜しかったですね. Additionally, がんばったね is an informal way to say "nice try."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, people use よくやったで to mean "Well done" or "Nice try".
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle ね at the end of 惜しかったね is used to seek agreement or to add a sympathetic, softening tone to the statement.
How do you pronounce it?
oshikatta ne
Did you know?
- If you use 惜しかったね to a superior, you might inadvertently sound like you are judging their performance, even with the polite ですね added.
- The adjective 惜しい is also related to the word for 'precious' or 'valuable' in some contexts, describing something that is too good to be wasted.
- Depending on the tone, 惜しかったね can be used sarcastically to mock someone who failed spectacularly, similar to the English 'nice try'.
Examples in context
- がんばったね！もっと練習しよう！Nice try! Let's practice more!
- 惜しかったね！oshibikatta ne!Nice try!
- ゴールまで惜しかったね。gooru made oshikatta ne.Nice try, almost a goal.
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are playing a video game together.
- 結衣 Yuiあー！あとちょっとで倒せたのに！ā! ato chotto de taoseta noni!Ah! I almost beat it!
- 陽太 Yota惜しかったね。もう一回やってみて。oshikatta ne. mō ikkai yatte mite.Nice try. Try it one more time.
- 結衣 Yuiうん、次は絶対勝つよ！un, tsugi wa zettai katsu yo!Yeah, I'll definitely win next time!
- 陽太 Yota期待してるよ、結衣。kitai shiteru yo, Yui.I'm counting on you, Yui.
