Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 不幸的 | bùxìng de |
| 不巧 | bùqiǎo |
| 可惜 | kěxí |
| 遺憾的是 / 遗憾的是 | yíhàn de shì |
The various forms of 'unfortunately' in Chinese are used to describe things happening through bad luck, a sense of regret or inconvenient timing. While 不幸的 describes a state of bad luck, 可惜 is used to express a sense of waste or that a situation is a pity. 不巧 is specifically used for coincidences or timing issues, such as missing a bus or arriving when someone is busy.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 不幸 is composed of 不 (not) and 幸 (luck/fortune).
Which one should you use?
Use 不巧 colloquially when a problem is caused by a coincidence or bad timing. Use 可惜 colloquially to express 'it's a pity' or 'what a shame' regarding a situation, rather than just stating a bad fact.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 不幸 to mean 'unfortunately' at the start of a clause, it is most natural to add 是 to form 不幸的是.
How do you pronounce it?
bùxìng de
Did you know?
- While 不幸 means 'unfortunate', the character 幸 on its own can mean 'happiness' or 'good luck'. In ancient Chinese, it specifically referred to the honor of being allowed to speak to an emperor.
- The term 不巧 literally translates to 'not skillful' or 'not clever', reflecting a view that bad timing is a lack of coordination or skill.
- The character 惜 in 可惜 is also used in the word for 'to cherish' or 'to value', suggesting that a pity exists because something valuable is being lost.
Examples in context
- 事物皆有兩面：好的一面和壞的一面。不幸的是，我們往往只能看見其中的一面。Everything has two sides: the good side and the bad side. Unfortunately, we usually see only one of them.This sentence shows how to use 不幸的 to introduce a negative aspect of a situation.Tatoeba #7681043 by Leolaaziano, translation #1817231 by MrShoval
- 学生们仔细的检查整个教室以寻找他们的朋友们和伙伴们，不幸的没有任何一个低年级学生可以找到任何人The students went all over the classroom looking for their friends and buddies, unfortunately to the point at which Junior couldn't find anyone!This sentence demonstrates the use of 不幸的 to describe a negative outcome in a search.Tatoeba #4844590 by pig8322, translation #4843047 by Ishao
- 可惜这是真的。It is unfortunately true.This sentence illustrates how 可惜 can be used to express that a fact is regrettable.Tatoeba #38 by fucongcong, translation #1320 by Zifre
- 很遗憾，我不能参加你的生日派对。Unfortunately, I can't attend your birthday party.
- 他无法得到这个职位，觉得很遗憾。He feels very regretful for not being able to get this position.
- 不巧的是，我已经安排了别的事情。Unfortunately, I have already made other arrangements.
- 下雨了，我们的计划泡汤了，真倒霉！It started raining, and our plans got ruined, what a bummer!
- 我错过了他的演唱会，真遗憾。I missed his concert. What a pity.
- 你没能赢得比赛，真遗憾。You didn't win the game, such a shame.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Haoran and Jiayi are talking about a concert ticket.
- 浩然 Haoran佳怡，你买到演唱会的门票了吗？Jiāyí, nǐ mǎidào yǎnchànghuì de ménpiào le ma?Jiayi, did you get the concert tickets?
- 佳怡 Jiayi不幸的，票在几秒钟内就卖完了。Bùxìng de, piào zài jǐ miǎozhōng nèi jiù màiwán le.Unfortunately, the tickets sold out in a few seconds.
- 浩然 Haoran太糟糕了，我真的很想去。Tài zāogāo le, wǒ zhēn de hěn xiǎng qù.That's terrible, I really wanted to go.
- 佳怡 Jiayi也许我们可以看看有没有转让的票。Yěxǔ wǒmen kěyǐ kànkan yǒu méiyǒu zhuǎnràng de piào.Maybe we can check if there are any tickets being resold.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unfortunately” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
