É uma pena
What a pity.
직역: It is a feather
Use it to show polite sympathy for life's little bummers without sounding overly dramatic or cold.
15초 만에
- Use it to say 'that's a shame' for minor disappointments.
- Works in both formal and informal social settings.
- Can be used alone or followed by 'que' and a verb.
뜻
This is the go-to way to say 'that's a shame' or 'what a pity.' It expresses mild disappointment or sympathy when something doesn't go as planned.
주요 예문
3 / 6A friend cancels dinner plans
Você não vem? É uma pena!
You're not coming? That's a shame!
The last slice of cake is gone
É uma pena que o bolo acabou.
It's a pity the cake is finished.
A colleague misses a promotion
É uma pena que você não conseguiu a vaga.
It's a shame you didn't get the position.
문화적 배경
The expression derives from the Latin 'poena' (punishment/pain), which also gave us the word 'penitentiary.' While it sounds heavy, it evolved into a lighthearted social grace used across all Lusophone countries to soften the blow of minor disappointments.
The 'Que' Shortcut
If you are in a rush, just say 'Que pena!'. It's faster, punchier, and sounds very natural in casual conversation.
The Subjunctive Trap
If you say 'É uma pena que...', the following verb must be in the subjunctive (e.g., 'que ele venha' instead of 'que ele vem').
15초 만에
- Use it to say 'that's a shame' for minor disappointments.
- Works in both formal and informal social settings.
- Can be used alone or followed by 'que' and a verb.
What It Means
É uma pena is your bread and butter for expressing regret. It translates to "it's a pity." Think of it as the verbal equivalent of a small shrug. You use it when you hear bad news. Not tragic news, just the annoying stuff. Like when your favorite bakery runs out of croissants. Or when it rains on your beach day. It shows you care, but you aren't devastated.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone reaction. Someone says they can't come to your party? Just say É uma pena. You can also link it to a reason using que. For example: É uma pena que você não possa vir. Just a heads-up: when you add que, the next verb usually goes into the subjunctive. Don't let that scare you. It just adds a little flavor to your disappointment.
When To Use It
Use it constantly in daily life. It works at the office when a meeting is canceled. It works at home when the wine is finished. It is perfect for texting when a friend cancels plans. It strikes a balance between being polite and being genuine. It shows you are empathetic without being overly dramatic. It’s the ultimate social lubricant for minor setbacks.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this for major tragedies. If someone loses a loved one, É uma pena sounds way too casual. It might even seem cold. In those cases, use Meus pêsames or Sinto muito. Also, don't use it if you are actually happy about the outcome. If your annoying boss cancels a meeting, saying É uma pena with a huge grin will give you away. Use it only for things that are actually a bit of a bummer.
Cultural Background
The word pena means feather, but it also means sorrow or punishment. This comes from the Latin 'poena'. In the past, it referred to the pain of a penalty. Over time, it softened into the mild disappointment we use today. In Portugal and Brazil, people value social harmony. Saying É uma pena is a way to acknowledge someone's problem without making it a big deal. It keeps the conversation flowing smoothly.
Common Variations
You will often hear Que pena! which is just a shorter, punchier version. It’s like saying "What a shame!" If you want to sound more intense, try É uma verdadeira pena. That means "It's a real shame." In some regions of Brazil, you might hear Dá pena, which means "It inspires pity." But for 99% of your life, É uma pena is the golden ticket. It’s simple, effective, and makes you sound like a local.
사용 참고사항
The phrase is highly versatile and fits almost any social situation. Just remember that adding 'que' triggers the subjunctive mood in the following verb, which is the most common grammatical mistake for learners.
The 'Que' Shortcut
If you are in a rush, just say 'Que pena!'. It's faster, punchier, and sounds very natural in casual conversation.
The Subjunctive Trap
If you say 'É uma pena que...', the following verb must be in the subjunctive (e.g., 'que ele venha' instead of 'que ele vem').
The Sarcastic Twist
Brazilians sometimes use this sarcastically. If someone who was mean to you has a minor problem, a dry 'É uma pena' is the ultimate subtle burn.
예시
6Você não vem? É uma pena!
You're not coming? That's a shame!
Short and perfect for a quick text response.
É uma pena que o bolo acabou.
It's a pity the cake is finished.
Expressing mild sadness over food (very relatable).
É uma pena que você não conseguiu a vaga.
It's a shame you didn't get the position.
Professional but empathetic for workplace setbacks.
Os ingressos acabaram? Que pena!
The tickets are sold out? What a pity!
Using the 'Que pena' variation for more emphasis.
Começou a chover, é uma pena.
It started raining, it's a shame.
A classic reaction to bad weather.
Ele está doentinho? É uma pena.
He's a little sick? That's a pity.
Showing gentle concern for a minor issue.
셀프 테스트
Choose the best response when a friend says they lost their umbrella.
Perdi meu guarda-chuva! ___
'É uma pena' is the correct way to show sympathy for a minor loss.
Complete the sentence to say 'It's a shame that it's raining.'
___ que está chovendo.
This is the standard structure to introduce a disappointing fact.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality of 'É uma pena'
Texting a friend about a missed movie.
Que pena!
Talking to a neighbor or shopkeeper.
É uma pena.
A polite rejection in a business email.
É uma pena que não possamos colaborar.
When to say 'É uma pena'
Bad Weather
Rain on vacation
Canceled Plans
Friend is busy
Sold Out
No more coffee
Minor Bad Luck
Missed the bus
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Yes, pena literally means feather, but in this context, it means pity or sorrow. It's like how 'cool' doesn't always mean cold in English.
No, that would be too light. Use Sinto muito (I'm very sorry) or Meus pêsames (My condolences) for serious tragedies.
The meaning is identical in both. However, in Portugal, you might hear É pena (dropping the 'uma') more frequently than in Brazil.
Add an adjective! É uma grande pena (It's a great shame) or É uma verdadeira pena (It's a real shame) works perfectly.
É uma pena is a full sentence ('It is a shame'), while Que pena is an exclamation ('What a shame'). They are interchangeable in most cases.
No, pena is always feminine. You will never say 'um peno.' It stays uma pena regardless of what you are talking about.
Yes, it is perfectly neutral. If a project gets delayed, saying É uma pena que o projeto atrasou is professional and polite.
Not exactly a slang version, but people might say Putz, que chato for a similar feeling in very informal Brazilian Portuguese.
Dá pena means 'It causes pity.' It's used more for people or animals you feel sorry for, like a stray dog. É uma pena is for situations.
Absolutely. É uma pena, mas não posso ir (It's a shame, but I can't go) is a very common way to decline an invitation politely.
관련 표현
Que chato!
How annoying / That's a bummer (Informal)
Sinto muito
I'm sorry (More sincere/serious)
Infelizmente
Unfortunately
Que lástima
What a pity (Slightly more dramatic/old-fashioned)
