惜おしい

i-adjective

precious; dear; valuable

Describes something or someone too good or important to lose, waste, or treat carelessly. Often used in the pattern ～が惜しい or ～を惜しいと思う.

• 彼かれのような有ゆう能のうな人じん材ざいを失うしなうのは会かい社しゃにとって惜おしい。

  Losing a talented person like him would be a great loss for the company.

• 命いのちが惜おしいなら、ここから逃にげろ。

  If you value your life, get out of here.

i-adjective

too good for; deserving better

Used when someone or something seems wasted on a person or situation, implying the recipient doesn't deserve it. Common pattern: ～には惜しい.

• あんな素す晴ばらしい女じょ性せいは彼かれには惜おしい。

  A wonderful woman like her is too good for him.

• このアイデアをこの小ちいさなプロジェクトだけに使つかうのは惜おしい。

  It's a waste to use this idea only for this small project.

i-adjective

almost; close but not quite

Used as an exclamation or comment when something is nearly achieved or correct but just misses the mark. Often stands alone as 惜しい！.

• 答こたえは「犬いぬ」じゃなくて「猫ねこ」だよ。惜おしい！

  The answer is 'cat', not 'dog'. Close!

• シュートはゴールポストに当あたった。惜おしい！

  The shot hit the goalpost. So close!