schade
/ˈʃaːdə/
The English phrase 'too bad' can be translated into German as schade.
schade is a versatile term used to express disappointment informally. If you want to add emphasis to your disappointment in an informal way, you can say Echt schade, which is an emphatic, informal way to say 'too bad'.
Meaning: that's a pity (phrase)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃaːdə/
What mistakes should you avoid?
However, you should use schade to express regret or pity.
Did you know?
- In German, you can use schade to describe something that is 'too precious' to be used or wasted. For example, saying a piece of cake is zu schade zum Aufessen means it is too beautiful to eat.
- The word schade is a direct descendant of the word Schaden, which means 'damage' or 'harm' in German.
- There is a distinct difference between schade and leider. While both translate to 'unfortunately', schade focuses on the missed opportunity or pity and leider focuses on the factual misfortune.
Examples in context
- Das ist zu schade.That's too bad.This sentence shows how to use schade in a full sentence.Tatoeba #11041818 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #433625 by CK
- Schade, dass Tom krank ist!It's too bad Tom is sick.This sentence uses schade to express regret about someone being sick.Tatoeba #7978592 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7978584 by CK
- Schade! Du warst fast am Ziel!Too bad! You were almost there!This sentence shows how to use schade as an exclamation of disappointment.Tatoeba #10605649 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10605309 by CK
- Schade. Wir werden dich vermissen!Too bad. We'll miss you!
- Echt schade! Die waren so schön.Too bad! They were so beautiful.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Hannah are discussing a canceled event.
- JulianDas Konzert wurde leider abgesagt.The concert was unfortunately canceled.
- HannahWie schade! Ich wollte unbedingt hin.What a pity! I really wanted to go.
- JulianJa, das ist wirklich sehr schade.Yes, that is really too bad.
- HannahVielleicht gibt es einen neuen Termin.Maybe there will be a new date.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “too bad” translations and entries schade, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries schade, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
