残念ながら
zannen-nagara[d͡zã̠nːe̞n na̠ɡa̠ɾa̠]
The English phrase 'unfortunately' can be translated into Japanese as 残念ながら (zannen-nagara) or 生憎.
Meaning: happening through bad luck (adv)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 残念ながら | zannen-nagara | [d͡zã̠nːe̞n na̠ɡa̠ɾa̠] (narrow) |
| 生憎 | ainiku | [a̠iɲ̟ikɯ̟] (narrow) |
Both words are used to describe things happening through bad luck, but they emphasize different types of misfortune. 残念ながら is used to express personal regret or disappointment regarding a specific fact or outcome. 生憎 is often used when a situation is inconvenient or the timing is bad, such as when a shop is closed or a person is unavailable.
Which one should you use?
While both terms mean 'unfortunately', 残念ながら is the more general term for expressing disappointment about a fact. In contrast, 生憎 is specifically used for situational inconveniences and bad timing.
How do you pronounce it?
zannen-nagara
Did you know?
- The word 生憎 is derived from a root meaning 'hateful' or 'detestable'.
- The term 残念 literally translates to 'remaining feelings', referring to the lingering emotion when a desire is not fulfilled.
- In Japanese business etiquette, using 生憎 can act as a polite way to soften a refusal, making the 'unfortunate' timing the reason for saying 'no' rather than a personal rejection.
Examples in context
- 生憎、それは本当です。Unfortunately, it's true.This sentence shows how to use 生憎 to express that something is true.Tatoeba #8532773 by small_snow, translation #350134 by human600
- 残念ながらその通りです。Unfortunately, that's true.This sentence demonstrates the use of 残念ながら to confirm a fact.Tatoeba #2250443 by tommy_san, translation #4876852 by AlanF_US
- 残念ながらそれは本当なのです。It is unfortunately true.This sentence shows how 残念ながら can be used to describe an unfortunate truth.Tatoeba #4746 by bunbuku, translation #1320 by Zifre
- 残念ながら、私たちの提案は受け入れられませんでした。Unfortunately, our proposal was not accepted.
- 会議の時間変更が必要です。申し訳ありませんが、急遽予定が変更となります。A change in the meeting time is necessary. Unfortunately, the schedule has changed abruptly. I apologize for any inconvenience.
- 残念だね、予定が変更になったんだ。Unfortunately, the plans have changed.
- あいにく、彼は来れないことになったよ。Unfortunately, it turns out he can't come.
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Youta and Himari are talking about a concert ticket.
- 陽太 Yotaチケット、買えた？Chiketto, kaeta?Did you get the tickets?
- 陽葵 Himari残念ながら、売り切れでした。Zannen nagara, urikire deshita.Unfortunately, they were sold out.
- 陽太 Yotaそうなんだ、残念だね。Sou nan da, zannen da ne.I see, that's a shame.
- 陽葵 Himari次は早めにチェックするよ。Tsugi wa hayame ni chekku suru yo.I'll check earlier next time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unfortunately” translations and entries 残念ながら, 生憎, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 残念ながら, 生憎, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
