気の毒
Meanings
pitiful; poor; unfortunate; miserable
Used when someone else's misfortune makes the speaker feel pity or sympathy. Often appears as 気の毒だ, 気の毒に思う, or the polite phrase お気の毒です.
I feel sorry for her being made to bear the responsibility alone.
That was truly unfortunate; I'm sorry to hear it.
sorry to have inconvenienced someone; regrettable; inexcusable
Used from the side of the person who has caused trouble or inconvenience, expressing regret or self-reproach. The gloss 'unpardonable' is usually this apologetic sense, not a legal or absolute moral judgment.
I feel bad for calling him out when he was busy.
I felt sorry for making you come all the way here.
Usage patterns
- 気の毒な〈人〉a person to be pitied; a poor soul
I saw a poor person who had been in an accident.
- 〈人〉には気の毒だがalthough I feel sorry for someone (used before delivering bad news)
I feel bad for him, but this proposal probably won't pass.
- 〈人〉に気の毒をかけるto cause someone trouble or regret
The sudden change caused our customers unnecessary trouble and regret.
- 気の毒がるto feel or show sympathy for someone
The people around her felt sorry for her.