It is a pity or it is a shame
They can't come. It is a pity.
They can't come. It is a shame.
I think "shame" is used when something is embarrassing. Is that it?
Thank you.
7 Answers
I'd say in this particular context that "shame" and "pity" are interchangeable.
I would feel comfortable saying either of these sentences (to mean that it's too bad that they can't come:
They can't come. It is a pity.
They can't come. It is a shame.
Shame can also mean embarrassment, but in another context. "He is full of shame for his actions." Pity can also mean something different. "She is handicapped and I pity her."
They're both about equal as far as I am concerned.
Examples of my own usage:
It is a pity when a person dies very young.
It is a shame that the world cannot be at peace.
It is a pity that you could not attend my dinner party.
It is a shame that good friends are so hard to find.
They're both usually just used to express disappointment, or to feign disappointment on someone else.
Por ejemplo:
"It's a shame I was unable to attend your lovely banquet." (I'm so very glad I found an excuse not to go!)
i think its most probably pity. because being shamed of this is not suitable enough i guess
i think you have to do something bad to be ashamed of yourself you can be embarrassed by simply speaking in front of others which is not a bad thing
In this context, shame and pity are used almost idiomatically. I don't think native speakers even think about how the words' meaning contribute to the overall sentiment. Shame and pity are simply synonymous with "bad" in this usage: It's bad that you can't come.
En ese caso se utiliza como "es una lástima" o ""que pena", en el sentido de tristeza , así como también en el caso en el que alguien te da una mala noticia como que alguien de su familia murió o algo así también dices It is a shame, es una lástima
Hi Nila. For me they are both exactly the same. Let's wait for more opinions.
