残念な（ざんねんな、zanneんna）
- regrettable

The Japanese word 残念な (ざんねんな) is an adjective that describes something as unfortunate, disappointing, regrettable, or a pity. It expresses a feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction because something didn't go as hoped or expected. It conveys a sense of loss or missed opportunity. This adjective can be used in a variety of situations.

⚫︎試験に落ちて、残念な結果でした。 Translation: I failed the exam, and the result was regrettable. ⚫︎雨で、旅行がキャンセルになって、残念でした。 Translation: The trip was canceled due to rain, which was a pity. ⚫︎あの映画はつまらなかった。残念な映画だった。 Translation: That movie was boring. It was a disappointing movie.

⚫︎残念な is used to express disappointment or regret about a situation, event, or outcome. ⚫︎ It's often used when something doesn't go as planned, when you miss an opportunity, or when something negative occurs. ⚫︎ You can use it in various contexts, such as: ⚫︎ Expressing sympathy for someone's bad luck. ⚫︎ Commenting on a disappointing outcome. ⚫︎ Describing a missed opportunity. ⚫︎ Reflecting on a negative experience. ⚫︎ The word is versatile, applicable in both formal and informal settings, although the degree of formality can be adjusted with other word choices (e.g., とても残念です – I am very sorry/It's a great pity).

⚫︎ 残念な is written in kanji as 残念な, but it's common to see it in hiragana ざんねんな, especially in less formal situations or when you're not sure of the kanji. ⚫︎ The word is an adjective. Its stem is 残念 (ざんねん). ⚫︎ The “な” at the end is the adjectival ending. It's used when modifying a noun. ⚫︎ The okurigana (送りがな - the hiragana attached to kanji) for 残念 is standard. ⚫︎ Conjugation: ⚫︎ 残念だ - It is unfortunate/a pity. ⚫︎ 残念な - unfortunate (before a noun). ⚫︎ 残念でした - It was unfortunate/a pity (past tense). ⚫︎ 残念で - being unfortunate (used with other adjectives or verbs). ⚫︎ 残念なら - If it is unfortunate/ a pity.

⚫︎ 残念です (ざんねんです) - It's a pity/It's regrettable (polite). ⚫︎ 悔しい (くやしい) - frustrating; regrettable (often for situations involving effort and a negative outcome). ⚫︎ 遺憾 (いかん) - regrettable; unfortunate (more formal). ⚫︎ 気の毒な (きのどくな) - pitiful; unfortunate; regrettable. ⚫︎ 不運な (ふうんな) - unlucky ⚫︎ 気の毒です (きのどくです) - I feel sorry for you. (similar meaning but express empathy.)

⚫︎ 嬉しい (うれしい) - happy; glad. ⚫︎ 素晴らしい (すばらしい) - wonderful; great. ⚫︎ 幸運な (こううんな) - fortunate; lucky. ⚫︎ 結構な (けっこうな) - fine; alright; good. (depending on context)

試験に落ちて残念な気持ちです。 ・Translation: I feel disappointed about failing the exam. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 残念な to describe the speaker's feelings about failing the exam. The word 気持ち (きもち - feeling) is being modified by 残念な.

せっかく計画した旅行だったのに、雨で中止になって残念だ。 ・Translation: It's a pity that the trip, which we planned so carefully, was canceled due to rain. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 残念だ to express regret about the cancellation of the planned trip due to rain. The situation is being described as unfortunate.

The word 残念 (ざんねん) combines the kanji: ⚫︎ 残 (ざん) - meaning "remainder" or "leftover." ⚫︎ 念 (ねん) - meaning "thought," "intention," or "feeling." The original meaning probably suggested a feeling of something remaining, or something falling short of expectations, thus leading to the current meaning of unfortunate or regrettable.