Signification
Expressing sadness or disappointment.
Contexte culturel
In Russia, 'жалость' (pity) is often seen as a form of love. There is an old folk saying that to pity someone is to love them. This is why 'Как жаль' feels warmer in Russian than 'What a pity' might feel in English. In modern cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg, 'Как жаль' is a standard part of 'polite distance.' It allows you to be empathetic without getting too involved in the other person's problems. Classic Russian literature is filled with 'жалость.' Characters often express 'Как жаль' regarding the passing of time, lost youth, or the state of the world, reflecting a melancholic cultural streak. In Russian business, 'Как жаль' is used to soften rejections. It is considered more polite than a flat 'No' or 'We aren't interested.'
The 'Soft L' Secret
Make sure to soften the 'l' at the end of 'жаль.' If you say it with a hard 'l,' it sounds like 'жал' (he stung), which is a different word.
Don't Overuse with Strangers
While polite, saying 'Как жаль' too many times to a stranger can sound insincere or like a 'customer service robot.'
Signification
Expressing sadness or disappointment.
The 'Soft L' Secret
Make sure to soften the 'l' at the end of 'жаль.' If you say it with a hard 'l,' it sounds like 'жал' (he stung), which is a different word.
Don't Overuse with Strangers
While polite, saying 'Как жаль' too many times to a stranger can sound insincere or like a 'customer service robot.'
Combine with 'что'
To sound more fluent, always try to follow 'Как жаль' with a 'что' clause. 'Как жаль, что мы уходим.'
The Sigh
Russians often accompany 'Как жаль' with a small sigh. This adds to the sincerity of the expression.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct response to the following statement: 'Я не могу пойти в кино сегодня.'
Я не могу пойти в кино сегодня.
'Как жаль!' is the standard, grammatically correct way to express disappointment about a situation.
Fill in the blank to say 'I am sorry that you are sick.'
____ жаль, что ты болеешь.
The person feeling the regret must be in the Dative case ('Мне').
Match the phrase to the most appropriate situation.
Situation: Your friend's favorite team lost the match.
'Как жаль!' is the perfect empathetic response for a minor disappointment like a sports loss.
Complete the dialogue.
— Мы продали нашу старую дачу. — ____? Вы там провели всё лето!
The second speaker is expressing regret because the first speaker spent a lot of time there.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Жаль vs. Жалко
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesЯ не могу пойти в кино сегодня.
'Как жаль!' is the standard, grammatically correct way to express disappointment about a situation.
____ жаль, что ты болеешь.
The person feeling the regret must be in the Dative case ('Мне').
Situation: Your friend's favorite team lost the match.
'Как жаль!' is the perfect empathetic response for a minor disappointment like a sports loss.
— Мы продали нашу старую дачу. — ____? Вы там провели всё лето!
The second speaker is expressing regret because the first speaker spent a lot of time there.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questions'Жаль' is slightly more formal/neutral. 'Жалко' is more common in everyday speech and often used when you feel pity for a specific thing (like a broken toy).
Yes! It is very common and means 'I'm very sorry' or 'What a great pity.'
Yes, it is perfectly neutral and polite for a professional setting.
Because 'жаль' describes a state that happens *to* you, so you use the Dative case (to me).
No, you should say 'Извините' (Sorry). 'Как жаль' sounds like you're a bystander, not the one who broke it.
Only if your intonation is very flat or exaggerated. Usually, it is taken as sincere.
You would say 'Я ни о чём не жалею' (using the verb жалеть).
No, it's a 'predicative.' It looks like a noun but doesn't act like one.
Yes, 'Как жаль' or 'Мне так жалко' are very appropriate for a lost or sick pet.
The opposite would be 'Как хорошо!' (How good!) or 'Как здорово!' (How great!).
Expressions liées
Очень жаль
specialized formVery sorry / What a great pity
Жалко
similarPity / It's a shame
К сожалению
synonymUnfortunately
Досадно
similarAnnoying / Frustrating
Сочувствую
similarI sympathize
