pity
gb/pˈɪti/ us/pˈɪti/
A2
English
~ 2000
szánalom, sajnálat, kár, vétek, sajnál, szán
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to feel pity for [someone]
She felt pity for the homeless man sitting in the cold.
Szánalmat érzett a hidegben ülő hajléktalan férfi iránt.
His eyes were full of pity when he heard her story.
A szeme tele volt szánalommal, amikor meghallotta a történetét.
Out of pity, they gave the injured bird some food.
I can’t help but feel pity for him after all he’s been through.
Learner examples
I feel pity for the sick dog.
Szánalmat érzek a beteg kutya iránt.
She looked at me with pity.
Szánalommal nézett rám.
He has pity for poor people.
They gave him food out of pity.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pity' with 'pitiful'; 'pitiful' describes something causing pity or deserving criticism, not the feeling itself.
Meaning
Feeling sad for someone's suffering
Collocations
feel pity
|deep pity
|express pity
|pity for
|full of pity
Synonyms
compassion (Emphasizes sympathy and a desire to help, often more positive than 'pity'.)
|
sympathy (Focuses on sharing another's feelings, not necessarily implying superiority.)
Antonyms
indifference (Lack of concern or interest in someone's suffering.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|daily life
Definition
A feeling of sadness because someone is hurt, sick, or has problems.
A feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering or misfortune of others.
NOUN
A2
2
Usage pattern:
It's a pity (that) [clause]
It’s a pity you couldn’t come to the party.
Kár, hogy nem tudtál eljönni a buliba.
What a pity that the museum is closed today.
Milyen kár, hogy ma zárva van a múzeum.
Such a pity we missed the beginning of the movie.
Learner examples
It is a pity you are not here.
Kár, hogy nem vagy itt.
What a pity the shop is closed.
Milyen kár, hogy zárva van a bolt.
It is a pity we lost the game.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with feeling pity for someone; here it means 'unfortunate', not 'feeling compassion'.
Meaning
Something regrettable or unfortunate
Collocations
what a pity
|it's a pity
|such a pity
Synonyms
shame (Informal equivalent in this sense, expressing mild regret.)
Antonyms
relief (A positive feeling when something undesirable did not happen.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something that is sad or makes you wish it was different.
Something that causes regret, disappointment, or a sense that it is unfortunate.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
to pity [someone]
I pity anyone who has to work in those conditions.
Sajnálok mindenkit, akinek ilyen körülmények között kell dolgoznia.
She pitied the abandoned puppy and took it home.
Megszánta az elhagyott kiskutyát, és hazavitte.
They pitied him for losing his job.
Learner examples
I pity the sick man.
Sajnálom a beteg férfit.
She pities her old neighbor.
Sajnálja az idős szomszédját.
We pity the lost child.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pity' as a verb with 'be pitied'; 'be pitied' means others feel pity for you.
Meaning
To feel sad for someone's suffering
Collocations
pity someone
|pity the poor
|pity the weak
Synonyms
feel sorry for (Informal equivalent, common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately not notice or care about someone's suffering.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
Definition
To feel sad because someone is hurt, sick, or has problems.
To feel sorrow and compassion for someone because of their suffering or misfortune.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pity
IPA
GB/pˈɪti/
US/pˈɪti/
Syllables & stress
pity (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (pity)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pity
- Plural: pity
Verb
- Base: pity
- 3rd Person Singular: pities
- Present Participle: pitying
- Past: pitied
Word family
Expressions
more's the pity
1/mˈɔɹˌeɪz ðə pˈɪti/
fixed phrase
Sadly, that's how it is
Used to say you are sad something is true, even though nothing can change it.
Examples
- He won’t be joining us tonight, more’s the pity.
- They decided to cancel the project, more’s the pity.
take pity on someone
1/tˈeɪk pˈɪti ˈɔn sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
Show kindness due to someone's suffering
To help someone because they are in trouble or unhappy.
Examples
- She took pity on the stray cat and fed it.
- They took pity on him and gave him a place to stay.
what a pity
1/wˈʌt ə pˈɪti/
fixed phrase
Expression of regret or disappointment
Used to say that something is sad or makes you wish it was different.
Examples
- What a pity you missed the concert!
- It’s raining—what a pity, we wanted to go hiking.