残念

• Reading: ざんねん
• Romaji: zannen
• Kanji breakdown: 残 (zan/noko) — remain, left over; 念 (nen) — thought, feeling
• Pronunciation: /zaɴ.neɴ/

Meaning

Regrettable; disappointing; unfortunate. Expresses a feeling of regret or disappointment.

A na-adjective and noun frequently used to express disappointment about outcomes. 残念ですが (zannen desu ga) is a polite way to deliver bad news. Also used as an exclamation: 残念! (what a shame!). Very common in daily conversation and one of the most important emotional expressions at N4 level.

Examples

1. 試合に負けてとても残念です。 It's very disappointing that we lost the game.
2. 残念ですが、明日のパーティーには行けません。 Unfortunately, I can't make it to tomorrow's party.
3. 桜が散ってしまって残念だった。 It was a shame that the cherry blossoms had already fallen.

Usage Guide

Context: emotions, sympathy, bad news

Tone: sympathetic

Origin & History

Combines 残 (zan, to remain) with 念 (nen, thought/feeling). Literally means a thought that remains — a lingering feeling of regret that stays in the mind.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal