Expressing Pity: I'm sorry that... (Dar pena que)
me da pena que + subjunctive to show you care about someone's bad situation or disappointment.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
When you express pity or sadness about someone else's situation, use 'Dar pena que' followed by the subjunctive mood.
- Use 'Dar pena que' + subjunctive when the subject of the main clause is different from the subordinate clause.
- The verb 'dar' must agree with the object (me, te, le, nos, les) and the singular/plural nature of 'pena'.
- Always use the subjunctive mood for the second verb to express the emotional reaction to the event.
Overview
Expressing sincere regret, sorrow, or pity for a situation affecting another person or yourself (indirectly) is a fundamental aspect of human communication. In Spanish, while direct apologies like lo siento exist, the construction dar pena que offers a nuanced and idiomatic way to convey this sentiment. It translates most closely to "I'm sorry that..." or "It's a shame that..." in English, specifically focusing on the emotion of pity or sadness evoked by a particular circumstance.
This grammatical pattern aligns with a common Spanish linguistic principle where emotions are often experienced passively, rather than actively performed. Much like the verb gustar (to like), where the object is what pleases you (Me gusta el café – The coffee pleases me), dar pena follows a similar structure. The situation or event itself "gives" pity or sorrow to the person experiencing the emotion, rather than the person actively feeling it.
This passive construction highlights the impact of external circumstances on one's internal emotional state.
Mastering dar pena que is crucial for B1-level Spanish learners as it allows you to express empathy and personal reactions to events with greater fluency and authenticity. It moves beyond simple direct statements of feeling, enabling you to articulate how external realities affect your emotional landscape. This construction is highly prevalent in everyday conversation, providing a versatile tool for social interaction and emotional expression.
How This Grammar Works
dar pena que is an impersonal construction that requires an Indirect Object Pronoun to indicate who experiences the pity, followed by the verb dar conjugated in the third person, the noun pena, the conjunction que, and finally, a subordinate clause whose verb is always in the subjunctive mood. This combination signals a subjective reaction to a non-factual or desired-to-be-different reality.me, te, le, nos, os, les) indicate that the pity is "given to me," "given to you," etc. Without an IOP, the phrase would lack a clear subject for the emotional experience, leading to ambiguity.Me da pena specifies I feel pity, while Le da pena means he/she/it feels pity.dar typically appears in the third-person singular form, da, regardless of the number of people experiencing the pity. This is because the grammatical subject of dar is the entire clause introduced by que, or an implicit singular idea. For example, in Me da pena que no puedas venir, the subject causing pena is the fact that you cannot come, which is treated as a singular concept.dar can become dan (e.g., Me dan pena sus excusas y su actitud, though this is less common with the que clause).pena functions as the direct object of dar, carrying the meaning of "pity," "sorrow," or "regret." While pena can also mean "shame" or "embarrassment" in certain contexts (especially in Latin America when used alone, as in me da pena bailar – I'm shy to dance), when paired with que, its meaning almost exclusively defaults to pity or regret. The conjunction que acts as a bridge, introducing the subordinate clause that describes the situation evoking the pity.que must always be in the subjunctive mood. This is a fundamental rule in Spanish grammar for expressing emotions, desires, doubts, and other subjective reactions. The subjunctive mood signals that the speaker is reacting emotionally to the information presented, rather than stating it as an objective fact.dar pena que, it would imply that the statement is a fact and your reaction is detached, which contradicts the very nature of expressing pity or sorrow. For example, Me da pena que estés triste (I'm sorry that you are sad – subjunctive estés correctly expresses emotional reaction), as opposed to Me da pena que estás triste (incorrect, as it treats "you are sad" as a neutral fact).Formation Pattern
dar pena que is consistent and can be broken down into a simple formula. This pattern allows for clear and precise expression of pity or regret regarding a specific situation or action.
dar (3rd person singular/plural) + pena + que + [Subordinate Clause (Verb in Subjunctive Mood)]
dar pena |
me | to me | Me da pena... |
te | to you (informal) | Te da pena... |
le | to him/her/it/you (formal) | Le da pena... |
nos | to us | Nos da pena... |
os | to you all (informal, Spain) | Os da pena... |
les | to them/you all (formal/Latin America) | Les da pena... |
dar: In most cases, dar will be in the third-person singular (da). This is because the thing causing the pity (the que-clause) is treated as a singular entity or idea. However, if the elements causing pity are multiple, explicit nouns, dar can be plural (dan), though this is less common with que clauses. For past events, you will use past tense conjugations of dar.
da (most common) or dan (if subject is plural).
Me da pena que llueva hoy. (It makes me sad that it's raining today.)
Nos da pena que no encuentren una solución. (It makes us sad that they aren't finding a solution.)
dio or dieron.
Me dio pena que se perdiera el partido. (It made me sad that the match was lost.)
daba or daban.
Nos daba pena que siempre estuviera solo. (It used to make us sad that he was always alone.)
pena: This word immediately follows the conjugated form of dar.
que: This word links the main clause (expressing the pity) to the subordinate clause (explaining what causes the pity).
dar.
Me da pena que tengas que trabajar el fin de semana. (I'm sorry that you have to work on the weekend.)
Les dio pena que no pudieran asistir a la boda. (It made them sad that they couldn't attend the wedding.)
When To Use It
Dar pena que is an incredibly versatile expression used to convey a spectrum of feelings ranging from mild regret and sympathy to genuine sorrow or empathy for an unfortunate situation. It is particularly useful when you want to express compassion for someone else's circumstances, or when you feel a sense of disappointment about an outcome that affects you or others.- Expressing Sympathy or Empathy: Use
dar pena quewhen you feel sorry for someone else's plight, whether it's a minor inconvenience or a significant challenge. It shows you understand and share, to some extent, their negative feelings. Me da pena que tu vuelo se haya cancelado por el mal tiempo.(I'm sorry that your flight was canceled due to bad weather.)Nos da pena que el examen sea tan difícil para los estudiantes.(We feel bad that the exam is so difficult for the students.)
- Showing Mild Regret or Disappointment: This construction is perfect for expressing a gentle form of regret over something that did not happen, or a situation that isn't ideal. It's less intense than an apology and more about lamenting the situation itself.
Me da pena que no podamos vernos mañana.(I'm sorry that we can't see each other tomorrow.)Te da pena que la tienda de discos vaya a cerrar el mes que viene.(You're sorry that the record store is going to close next month.)
- Reacting to Unfortunate News or Events: When discussing general news, current events, or social media updates that are regrettable,
dar pena queprovides a natural way to express collective or personal sorrow. It allows you to acknowledge the negative aspect without taking personal responsibility. Les da pena que la deforestación continúe en la Amazonía.(It makes them sad that deforestation continues in the Amazon.)A mi madre le da pena que tantos jóvenes tengan que emigrar.(My mother is sad that so many young people have to emigrate.)
- Gently Declining or Explaining Limitations: While you wouldn't use it to apologize for your own direct actions, it can soften the blow when you have to decline an invitation or explain why you cannot do something, implying you regret the circumstance.
Me da pena que no estemos juntos en tu cumpleaños, pero tengo un compromiso.(I'm sorry that we won't be together for your birthday, but I have a commitment.)
pena. In Spain, pena almost exclusively refers to sorrow, pity, or sadness. However, in Mexico and some other Central American countries, pena can also mean "shyness" or "embarrassment" when used without que (e.g., Me da pena hablar en público – I'm embarrassed/shy to speak in public).que and a subjunctive clause, however, its meaning consistently reverts to expressing pity or regret, regardless of the region. Always consider the full construction to interpret its meaning accurately.Common Mistakes
dar pena que. Understanding these pitfalls and their underlying reasons is crucial for achieving fluency and avoiding miscommunication. These mistakes often stem from direct translation from English or an incomplete grasp of the subjunctive mood's function.- 1. Using the Indicative Instead of the Subjunctive: This is by far the most prevalent error. As previously emphasized,
dar pena queexpresses a subjective emotional reaction, which always triggers the subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause. Using the indicative sounds grammatically jarring to native speakers. - Incorrect:
✗ Me da pena que tú tienes que estudiar.(Incorrect indicativetienes) - Correct:
✓ Me da pena que tú tengas que estudiar.(Correct subjunctivetengas) - Why it's wrong: The indicative (
tienes) states "you have to study" as a definite fact, implying a neutral observation rather than an emotional response to that fact. The subjunctive (tengas) correctly conveys your regret about the fact.
- 2. Omitting the Indirect Object Pronoun: The construction requires an IOP to specify who feels the pity. Omitting it leaves the phrase incomplete and grammatically unsound.
- Incorrect:
✗ Da pena que no podamos ir. - Correct:
✓ Nos da pena que no podamos ir. - Why it's wrong: The emotion of
penaneeds a recipient.Da penaliterally translates to "it gives pity," but without theme/te/leetc., it's unclear to whom this pity is being given, making the expression ungrammatical in this context.
- 3. Conjugating
darto Match the Person Feeling the Emotion (Instead of the Cause): Learners sometimes mistakenly conjugatedarbased on the IOP (e.g.,yo doy pena). Remember thatdarconjugates based on what is giving the pity, which is usually the entireque-clause or an implied singular idea, hence the common third-person singularda. - Incorrect:
✗ Yo doy pena que no vayas.(Incorrectly matchesdartoyo) - Correct:
✓ Me da pena que no vayas.(The situation, "that you don't go," gives pity tome) - Why it's wrong: This error fundamentally misunderstands the impersonal
gustar-like structure. The person experiencing the emotion is the indirect object, not the subject performing the action ofdar.
- 4. Confusing
pena(pity) withvergüenza(embarrassment/shame) when followed byque: Whilepenacan mean embarrassment in some regions on its own (Me da pena hablar), when followed byqueand a subjunctive clause, it almost universally means pity or regret. Do not confuseMe da pena que...withMe da vergüenza que...(I'm ashamed that...). Me da pena que no haya podido ir.(I feel sorry that he couldn't go.)Me da vergüenza que no hayamos hecho nada.(I'm ashamed that we haven't done anything.)- Why it's wrong: The meanings are distinct.
Penain this context refers to a sympathetic sorrow for an unfortunate external event, whereasvergüenzaimplies personal humiliation or moral discomfort, often regarding one's own actions or those of someone closely associated with oneself.
- 5. Incorrectly using
quéwith an accent: The conjunctionquein this structure does not carry an accent mark.Quéwith an accent is used for interrogative or exclamatory purposes (¿Qué dices?,¡Qué bonito!). - Incorrect:
✗ Me da pena qué no te sientas bien. - Correct:
✓ Me da pena que no te sientas bien. - Why it's wrong: This is a orthographic error that can subtly change the perceived meaning if read literally, making it appear as if you are asking a question within the clause.
Real Conversations
Understanding how dar pena que integrates into authentic communication provides valuable insight beyond grammatical rules. This expression is highly flexible, appearing in various contexts from casual texting to more formal discussions, allowing speakers to convey nuanced emotional responses.
- Casual Texting/Messaging: In informal digital communication, dar pena que is a common way to express quick empathy or mild disappointment without being overly dramatic. It's a succinct way to show you care about someone's situation.
- Scenario: Friend texts: "No pude ir al concierto, me enfermé."
- Response: "¡Ay, me da pena que te enfermaras! ¡Espero que te mejores pronto!" (Oh, I'm sorry you got sick! I hope you get better soon!)
- Social Media Comments: On platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), or Facebook, dar pena que can be used to react to posts about unfortunate events, news, or even personal setbacks shared by others. It allows for a sympathetic public response.
- Scenario: A local business posts: "Lamentamos informar que cerraremos nuestras puertas permanentemente."
- Comment: "Qué pena que cierren… ¡Les deseo lo mejor!" (What a shame that you're closing... I wish you the best!) – Note Qué pena que is a common variant and highly interchangeable.
- Comment (more directly dar pena que): "Nos da mucha pena que tengan que cerrar. Era un lugar tan bueno." (It makes us very sad that you have to close. It was such a good place.)
- Everyday Conversations (In-Person or Calls): This phrase is naturally woven into daily dialogue when discussing plans that fall through, minor grievances, or someone's struggles. It communicates understanding and shared sentiment.
- Scenario: Coworker: "No me aprobaron las vacaciones para la misma fecha que tú."
- Response: "Uf, me da pena que no podamos ir juntos. ¡Qué fastidio!" (Ugh, I'm sorry that we can't go together. What a bother!)
- Cultural Insight: In certain contexts, especially when pena is used alone (Me da pena), the meaning can shift to "shyness" or "embarrassment," particularly in Mexican and Central American Spanish. However, the presence of que with a subjunctive clause almost always signals pity or regret, even in these regions. For example, in Mexico, Me da pena hablar en público means "I'm shy to speak in public," but Me da pena que tengas que hablar en público would mean "I feel bad that you have to speak in public."
By observing and practicing dar pena que in these real-world scenarios, you will develop a more intuitive grasp of its usage and appropriate contexts, making your Spanish sound more natural and empathetic.
Quick FAQ
dar pena que.- Q: Can
dar penabe used withoutque? - A: Yes, but the meaning shifts. When used without
queand a subjunctive clause,dar penatypically expresses pity for a person or animal directly, or shyness/embarrassment depending on the region. For example:Me da pena ese perrito abandonado.(I feel sorry for that abandoned puppy.) orMe da pena cantar en público.(I'm shy/embarrassed to sing in public – common in Mexico). Thequeclause is essential for expressing pity about a situation or fact.
- Q: Is the subjunctive mood always necessary after
que? - A: Yes, absolutely. The construction
dar pena quefundamentally expresses an emotional, subjective reaction to a situation. This always triggers the subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause. Failing to use the subjunctive is a significant grammatical error that signals a lack of understanding of Spanish mood usage.
- Q: Can I use
dar pena quefor past events? - A: Yes, you can. You simply need to conjugate the verb
darinto a past tense (e.g., preteritedioor imperfectdaba) and match the subjunctive verb in thequeclause accordingly (e.g., imperfect subjunctivehubiera,fuera,viniera). Me dio pena que no pudieras venir ayer.(It made me sad that you couldn't come yesterday.)Nos daba pena que él siempre estuviera solo.(It used to make us sad that he was always alone.)
- Q: How does
dar pena quecompare toLo siento? - A:
Lo sientois a direct apology or a direct expression of sympathy for something that just occurred or was said (e.g.,Lo siento por lo que pasó– I'm sorry for what happened;Lo siento, no puedo ir– I'm sorry, I can't go).Dar pena queis less about apologizing and more about expressing sorrow, regret, or pity about a circumstance or fact. It focuses on the emotional impact of the situation on you. Lo siento.(I'm sorry.) - Direct apology/sympathy.Me da pena que tengas ese problema.(I'm sorry that you have that problem.) - Expression of pity/regret regarding a situation.
- Q: How does
dar pena quecompare toSentir que? - A:
Sentir que(to feel that) is also followed by the subjunctive when expressing emotions. It is very similar in meaning and often interchangeable withdar pena quefor conveying regret or sorrow.Sentir quecan feel slightly more formal or direct, whiledar pena queoften carries a slightly more empathetic or wistful tone. Siento que no puedas venir.(I feel that you can't come.) - Valid and common.Me da pena que no puedas venir.(It makes me sad/sorry that you can't come.) - Also valid, often preferred in informal contexts.
- Q: How does
dar pena quecompare toSer una lástima que? - A:
Ser una lástima que(It's a shame that...) is extremely close in meaning and function. Both require the subjunctive.Ser una lástima quetends to be a more general observation about a regrettable situation, whiledar pena quecan feel a bit more personal due to the inclusion of the indirect object pronoun (me,te,le, etc.). Often, they are interchangeable, especially in Spain. Es una lástima que se haya cancelado el evento.(It's a shame that the event was canceled.)Me da pena que se haya cancelado el evento.(It makes me sad that the event was canceled.)
- Q: Can
dar pena quebe used sarcastically? - A: Yes, like many expressions of emotion, it can be used sarcastically depending on the tone of voice and context. This often implies that you don't actually feel pity but are feigning it.
Me da pena que creas que esa es una buena idea.(I'm sorry you think that's a good idea – implying it's not.)
- Q: Is it polite to use
dar pena que? - A: Yes, it is generally considered a polite and empathetic expression. It shows that you are acknowledging another person's misfortune or a regrettable situation, demonstrating concern or understanding.
- Q: What is the opposite expression?
- A: The most direct opposite for expressing positive emotions about a situation is
Me alegra que...(I'm happy that...) orMe gusta que...(I like that...), both also followed by the subjunctive mood.
Formation of 'Dar pena que'
| Subject | IO Pronoun | Verb (Dar) | Conjunction | Subjunctive Clause |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Yo
|
Me
|
da
|
que
|
tú vengas
|
|
Tú
|
Te
|
da
|
que
|
él sea
|
|
Él/Ella
|
Le
|
da
|
que
|
nosotros estemos
|
|
Nosotros
|
Nos
|
da
|
que
|
ellos tengan
|
|
Ellos/Ellas
|
Les
|
da
|
que
|
yo haga
|
Meanings
This construction is used to express empathy, sadness, or pity regarding a specific event or situation occurring to someone else.
Expressing empathy
Feeling sad for someone's misfortune.
“Me da pena que hayas perdido tu trabajo.”
“Nos da pena que ellos no tengan dinero.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Me da pena que + Subj
|
Me da pena que llueva.
|
|
Negative
|
No me da pena que + Subj
|
No me da pena que se vaya.
|
|
Question
|
¿Te da pena que + Subj?
|
¿Te da pena que pierdan?
|
|
Plural
|
Les da pena que + Subj
|
Les da pena que no vengan.
|
|
Past
|
Me dio pena que + Subj
|
Me dio pena que no vinieras.
|
|
Reflexive
|
Me da pena que se + Subj
|
Me da pena que se caiga.
|
Formality Spectrum
Lamento profundamente que usted se encuentre indispuesto. (Health)
Me da pena que estés enfermo. (Health)
Qué pena que estés mal, tío. (Health)
Qué bajón que estés enfermo. (Health)
The Subjunctive Trigger
Emotion
- Tristeza Sadness
Grammar
- Subjuntivo Subjunctive
Examples by Level
Me da pena que estés triste.
I'm sorry that you are sad.
Me da pena que no comas.
I'm sorry that you aren't eating.
Me da pena que lluevas.
I'm sorry that it's raining.
Me da pena que te vayas.
I'm sorry that you are leaving.
Le da pena que el niño llore.
He feels sorry that the child is crying.
Nos da pena que no tengan casa.
We feel sorry that they don't have a house.
Me da pena que hayas perdido el tren.
I'm sorry that you missed the train.
Te da pena que ella sufra tanto.
You feel sorry that she suffers so much.
Me da pena que no hayas podido asistir a la reunión.
I'm sorry that you couldn't attend the meeting.
Les da pena que el proyecto haya fracasado.
They feel sorry that the project failed.
Me da pena que la situación sea tan difícil.
I'm sorry that the situation is so difficult.
Nos da pena que no se sientan bienvenidos.
We feel sorry that they don't feel welcome.
Me da pena que, a pesar de sus esfuerzos, no hayan logrado el objetivo.
I'm sorry that, despite their efforts, they haven't achieved the goal.
Da pena que la gente ignore los problemas ambientales.
It's a pity that people ignore environmental problems.
Me da pena que te sientas tan solo en esta ciudad.
I'm sorry that you feel so lonely in this city.
Le da pena que su familia no comprenda su decisión.
He feels sorry that his family doesn't understand his decision.
Resulta lamentable, me da pena que la sociedad contemporánea haya perdido ciertos valores.
It is regrettable, I feel sorry that contemporary society has lost certain values.
Me da pena que, habiendo tantas oportunidades, no las aprovechen.
I'm sorry that, having so many opportunities, they don't take advantage of them.
Da pena que se desperdicie tanto talento en tareas triviales.
It's a pity that so much talent is wasted on trivial tasks.
Me da pena que no se haya llegado a un consenso tras tantas horas de debate.
I'm sorry that a consensus hasn't been reached after so many hours of debate.
Me da pena que, en el ocaso de su carrera, se vea reducido a tales circunstancias.
I'm sorry that, in the twilight of his career, he finds himself reduced to such circumstances.
Da pena que la inercia institucional impida que se implementen reformas necesarias.
It's a pity that institutional inertia prevents necessary reforms from being implemented.
Me da pena que, a pesar de la evidencia, persistan en su error.
I'm sorry that, despite the evidence, they persist in their error.
Da pena que se desvirtúe el mensaje original con interpretaciones tan sesgadas.
It's a pity that the original message is distorted by such biased interpretations.
Easily Confused
In some countries, 'tener pena' means to be embarrassed, not to feel pity.
They are very similar, but 'sentir' is more formal.
Learners often use the indicative because they are stating a fact.
Common Mistakes
Me da pena que vienes.
Me da pena que vengas.
Da pena que él está triste.
Da pena que él esté triste.
Me da pena que no puedo ir.
Me da pena que no pueda ir.
Me da pena que ellos pierden.
Me da pena que ellos pierdan.
Te da pena que ella no tiene dinero.
Te da pena que ella no tenga dinero.
Nos da pena que el perro muere.
Nos da pena que el perro muera.
Me da pena que no me escuchas.
Me da pena que no me escuches.
Me da pena que no has venido.
Me da pena que no hayas venido.
Me da pena que la gente no sabe la verdad.
Me da pena que la gente no sepa la verdad.
Le da pena que su jefe le grita.
Le da pena que su jefe le grite.
Me da pena que no se ha hecho nada.
Me da pena que no se haya hecho nada.
Me da pena que ellos no han tenido éxito.
Me da pena que ellos no hayan tenido éxito.
Me da pena que la situación es como es.
Me da pena que la situación sea como es.
Me da pena que no se ha dicho la verdad.
Me da pena que no se haya dicho la verdad.
Sentence Patterns
Me da pena que ___ (tú) ___ (verbo).
Nos da pena que ___ (ellos) ___ (verbo).
Le da pena que ___ (él) no ___ (verbo).
Da pena que ___ (la gente) ___ (verbo).
Real World Usage
Me da pena que no puedas venir al cine.
Da pena que la gente no cuide el planeta.
Me da pena que no hayamos podido alcanzar los objetivos.
Me da pena que el hotel esté cerrado.
Me da pena que el pedido haya llegado frío.
Me da pena que la abuela no esté aquí.
Focus on the Subjunctive
Don't use Indicative
Use 'Lástima'
Regional Nuance
Smart Tips
Use 'Me da pena que' to show you care.
If you are expressing an emotion, it's almost always the subjunctive.
Use the imperfect subjunctive for past pity.
Use 'Qué lástima' instead of 'Me da pena' if you are worried about tone.
Pronunciation
Intonation
Use a falling intonation at the end of the sentence to show sincerity.
Empathetic
Me da pena que... (pause) ...estés así.
Shows genuine concern.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Pena is a pain, so use the subjunctive to drain the sadness.
Visual Association
Imagine a 'Pena' (a sad, drooping flower) that only blooms when you water it with the 'Subjunctive' watering can.
Rhyme
When you feel a bit of pena, use the subjunctive to make it cleaner.
Story
Maria saw her friend crying. She felt pity. She said, 'Me da pena que llores.' Her friend stopped crying because she felt understood.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about things that make you feel sad using 'Me da pena que'.
Cultural Notes
In Spain, 'dar pena' is very common, but 'qué lástima' is also used frequently.
Mexicans often use 'qué mala onda' alongside 'me da pena'.
Argentinians might use 'qué bajón' to express a similar sentiment.
The construction comes from the Latin 'dare' (to give) and 'poena' (punishment/pain).
Conversation Starters
¿Qué te da pena que pase en el mundo?
¿Te da pena que tus amigos se muden?
¿Te da pena que el verano termine?
¿Te da pena que la gente no recicle?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Me da pena que tú (venir) ____ tarde.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Me da pena que ellos no tienen dinero.
Me da pena que él pierde el tren.
A: No pude ir a la fiesta. B: ____.
Me / pena / que / da / tú / estés / triste.
da / que / pena / él / me / venga.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesMe da pena que tú (venir) ____ tarde.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Me da pena que ellos no tienen dinero.
Me da pena que él pierde el tren.
A: No pude ir a la fiesta. B: ____.
Me / pena / que / da / tú / estés / triste.
da / que / pena / él / me / venga.
Me da pena que...
Score: /8
Practice Bank
8 exercisespena / que / me / da / llueva / hoy
I am sorry that you are sick.
Match the feelings:
Tu amigo perdió su móvil. ¿Qué dices?
Les da pena que nosotros no ________ (comer) carne.
Os da pena que el perro está solo.
We are sorry the movie is boring.
vengan / no / les / pena / da / que
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
In most Spanish-speaking countries, 'dar pena' is the standard for pity. 'Tener pena' often means to be embarrassed.
No, the emotional trigger requires the subjunctive mood.
It is neutral and can be used in most social situations.
If the subject is the same, you use the infinitive (e.g., 'Me da pena no ir').
Yes, you use the imperfect subjunctive (e.g., 'Me dio pena que no vinieras').
Yes, it is widely understood, though regional synonyms exist.
Yes, 'Me da pena que yo...' but it is more common to use it for others.
They are synonyms and can be used interchangeably.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Faire de la peine
The conjugation of the subjunctive is slightly different.
Es tut mir leid, dass...
German does not have a subjunctive mood for this expression.
Kawai sou
Japanese does not use a subordinate clause structure.
Yuhzinnuni anna...
Arabic uses indicative mood.
Hen ke lian
Chinese has no verb conjugation.
I'm sorry that...
English uses indicative mood.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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Related Grammar Rules
The Fact That... (Subjunctive with el hecho de que)
Overview At the C2 level, you move beyond simple communication and into the realm of rhetorical precision. The phrase `...
Spanish 'I hope you have...' (Present Perfect Subjunctive)
Overview The Spanish **Present Perfect Subjunctive** (`Pretérito Perfecto de Subjuntivo`) is a sophisticated verbal tens...
Past Regrets: Past Perfect Subjunctive (hubiera)
Overview The **Past Perfect Subjunctive** in Spanish, formally known as `el Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto de Subjuntivo`, i...
Expressing Fear: 'It Scares Me' (Dar miedo que)
Overview Spanish, unlike English, frequently expresses emotions and sensations using verbs that describe something `givi...
Wishing with Ojalá: If only... (Imperfect & Pluperfect)
Overview The word `ojalá` is one of the most powerful and evocative tools in Spanish for expressing wishes, hopes, and...
