A2 Expression 正式

متأسفانه

moteasefane

Unfortunately

意思

Expressing regret or disappointment about a situation or outcome.

🌍

文化背景

In Iran, 'Motāse fāne' is a pillar of Ta'arof. It allows people to maintain social harmony by blaming 'fate' or 'circumstances' rather than their own lack of desire to help. In Dari Persian, the word is also used, but you might hear 'Bad-bakhtāne' more frequently in news broadcasts to describe tragic events. Tajik speakers use 'Muta'assifona' (the Cyrillic spelling: Мутаассифона). It carries the same formal weight as in Iran. In Persian business emails, starting a sentence with 'Motāse fāne' is the standard way to introduce delays, rejections, or errors. It is considered much more professional than being blunt.

🎯

The 'No' Sandwich

In Iran, always sandwich a 'no' between a compliment and 'Motāse fāne.' Example: 'Your invite is great, but unfortunately, I'm busy.'

⚠️

Don't over-apologize

If you use 'Motāse fāne' too much for your own mistakes, it sounds like you're making excuses rather than taking responsibility.

意思

Expressing regret or disappointment about a situation or outcome.

🎯

The 'No' Sandwich

In Iran, always sandwich a 'no' between a compliment and 'Motāse fāne.' Example: 'Your invite is great, but unfortunately, I'm busy.'

⚠️

Don't over-apologize

If you use 'Motāse fāne' too much for your own mistakes, it sounds like you're making excuses rather than taking responsibility.

💬

Ta'arof Power

If someone says 'Motāse fāne' to you in a shop, don't push. It's a polite signal that the conversation on that topic is over.

💡

Writing vs Speaking

In writing, you can put it after the subject (e.g., 'We unfortunately...'). In speaking, always put it at the start.

自我测试

Fill in the blank with the correct word to politely say you can't come.

________ نمی‌توانم به تولد تو بیایم.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: متأسفانه

'Motāse fāne' is the only word here that expresses the regret needed for declining an invitation.

Which sentence is the most natural way to tell a customer the food is finished?

A) غذا نیست. B) متأسفانه غذا تمام شده است. C) حیف غذا. D) من متأسفانه هستم.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: B

Option B is the standard, polite, and grammatically correct way to report this in a service context.

Match the phrase to the situation.

Situation: You lost your keys and are telling your roommate.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: متأسفانه کلیدها را گم کردم.

Losing keys is an unfortunate event, so 'Motāse fāne' is required.

Complete the dialogue.

علی: آیا علی دایی در این بازی حضور دارد؟ مربی: خیر، ________ او مصدوم است.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: متأسفانه

The coach is reporting bad news (an injury), so 'Motāse fāne' is the correct adverb.

🎉 得分: /4

视觉学习工具

Ways to say 'Unfortunately' in Persian

Word
متأسفانه Unfortunately (Standard)
حیف Pity (Informal)
بدبختانه Unluckily (Strong)

练习题库

4 练习
Fill in the blank with the correct word to politely say you can't come. Fill Blank A2

________ نمی‌توانم به تولد تو بیایم.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: متأسفانه

'Motāse fāne' is the only word here that expresses the regret needed for declining an invitation.

Which sentence is the most natural way to tell a customer the food is finished? Choose A2

A) غذا نیست. B) متأسفانه غذا تمام شده است. C) حیف غذا. D) من متأسفانه هستم.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: B

Option B is the standard, polite, and grammatically correct way to report this in a service context.

Match the phrase to the situation. situation_matching A1

Situation: You lost your keys and are telling your roommate.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: متأسفانه کلیدها را گم کردم.

Losing keys is an unfortunate event, so 'Motāse fāne' is required.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

علی: آیا علی دایی در این بازی حضور دارد؟ مربی: خیر، ________ او مصدوم است.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: متأسفانه

The coach is reporting bad news (an injury), so 'Motāse fāne' is the correct adverb.

🎉 得分: /4

常见问题

12 个问题

No, it's perfectly fine, but 'Heyf' is more common for very small things like missing a bus.

It's better to say 'Ba kamāl-e ta'assof' if you want to sound more regretful.

'Bad-bakhtāne' implies bad luck or a disaster. 'Motāse fāne' is just general regret.

Usually 'motasefane' or 'moteassefane'.

90% of the time in speech, yes. It sets the mood for the rest of the sentence.

Only as an adverb. You can't say 'I am unfortunately.' You must say 'I am sorry' (Mote'assefam).

Yes, it is standard in Dari as well.

Khosh-bakhtāne (Fortunately).

Yes, it's a dental 't', similar to French or Spanish.

Yes, it's highly recommended for being professional.

Rarely. Persians usually use it sincerely to be polite.

It's a medium-length word, but very common, so it's said quite fast.

相关表达

🔗

خوشبختانه

contrast

Fortunately

🔗

حیف

similar

What a pity

🔗

بدبختانه

similar

Unluckily

🔗

با کمال تأسف

specialized form

With the utmost regret

🔗

متأسفم

builds on

I am sorry

有帮助吗?
还没有评论。成为第一个分享想法的人!