unfortunate
gb/ʌnfˈɔɹt͡ʃənɪt/ us/ʌnfˈɔɹt͡ʃənɪt/
B1
English
~ 2200
szerencsétlen, kedvezőtlen, sajnálatos, szegény, rászoruló, pórul járt
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is unfortunate
It was an unfortunate mistake that cost the company millions.
Ez egy sajnálatos hiba volt, amely milliókba került a vállalatnak.
They were caught in an unfortunate situation when the train broke down.
Szerencsétlen helyzetbe kerültek, amikor meghibásodott a vonat.
Her choice of words was unfortunate and offended many people.
The picnic was ruined by an unfortunate change in the weather.
Learner examples
It was an unfortunate day for us.
Szerencsétlen napunk volt.
We had an unfortunate problem with the car.
Sajnálatos probléma adódott az autónkkal.
That was an unfortunate thing to say.
The rain was very unfortunate for our trip.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'unfortunate' with 'sad' when talking about emotions, but 'unfortunate' refers to bad luck or a negative situation, not a feeling.
Meaning
Causing or involving bad luck
Collocations
an unfortunate event
|unfortunate accident
|unfortunate situation
|most unfortunate
|rather unfortunate
Synonyms
regrettable (Focuses more on being worthy of regret than on luck.)
|
unlucky (Emphasizes chance or bad fortune rather than undesirability.)
Antonyms
fortunate (Indicates good luck or favorable circumstances.)
|
lucky (Highlights positive chance events.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Having bad luck or causing a bad result.
Having or resulting in bad luck, or causing trouble or difficulty.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is unfortunate
The charity raises money to help unfortunate children.
A jótékonysági szervezet pénzt gyűjt a rászoruló gyerekek megsegítésére.
He was an unfortunate man who lost everything in the fire.
Szegény ember volt, aki mindent elveszített a tűzben.
We must do more for the unfortunate in our society.
Learner examples
She helps unfortunate people find homes.
Segít a rászoruló embereknek otthonra találni.
The dog is unfortunate because it has no family.
Szegény kutyának nincs családja.
The city gives food to the unfortunate.
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'unfortunate' only for events, forgetting it can also describe people in hardship.
Meaning
Deserving sympathy or pity
Collocations
poor unfortunate
|help the unfortunate
|unfortunate victim
Synonyms
pitiful (Focuses on arousing pity rather than on luck.)
|
wretched (Stronger, more emotional tone of misery.)
Antonyms
fortunate (Refers to someone in a good or lucky situation.)
Themes
emotions
|social
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Making people feel sorry because of bad luck or trouble.
Deserving pity because of being in a bad or unlucky situation.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
an unfortunate [person]
The shelter provides food for the unfortunates of the city.
A menhely ételt biztosít a város rászorulóinak.
Several unfortunates were stranded at the airport overnight.
Több pórul járt utas is a repülőtéren rekedt éjszakára.
He always tries to help the less fortunate.
Learner examples
The school gives books to unfortunates.
Az iskola könyveket ad a rászorulóknak.
Many unfortunates live on the streets.
Sok rászoruló él az utcán.
We want to help unfortunates have better lives.
Meaning
A person who is unlucky or in trouble
Collocations
the unfortunate
|help the unfortunates
Synonyms
victim (Implies suffering from an event or action, not just bad luck.)
Antonyms
fortunate (A person with good luck or advantage.)
Themes
emotions
|social
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Someone who has bad luck or is in a bad situation.
A person who is experiencing bad luck or misfortune.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unfortunate
IPA
GB/ʌnfˈɔɹt͡ʃənɪt/
US/ʌnfˈɔɹt͡ʃənɪt/
Syllables & stress
un - for - tu - nate (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (for)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unfortunate
Noun
- Base: unfortunate
- Plural: unfortunates
Word family
Forms
unfortunates
noun
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
unfortunately
adverb A2
misfortune
noun B1
Expressions
for my sins, I was unfortunate enough to...
1/fɚ mˈaɪ sˈɪnz | ˈaɪ wəz ʌnfˈɔɹt͡ʃənɪt ɪnˈʌf tə |/
fixed phrase
informal
Had to experience something unpleasant by chance/obligation
Used humorously to say you had to do something bad or boring, often by bad luck.
Examples
- For my sins, I was unfortunate enough to sit through the entire meeting.
- I was unfortunate enough to get stuck next to a loud snorer on the train.
poor unfortunate
1/pˈʊɹ ʌnfˈɔɹt͡ʃənɪt/
fixed phrase
Someone unlucky and pitiful
Used to talk about someone who has had very bad luck and makes you feel sorry for them.
Examples
- That poor unfortunate lost his job and his home in the same week.
- We must help this poor unfortunate find shelter.
the less fortunate
1/ðə lˈɛs fˈɔɹt͡ʃənɪt/
fixed phrase
People with fewer advantages in life
People who do not have as much money, luck, or good things as others.
Examples
- The charity works to support the less fortunate in our community.
- We should all try to help the less fortunate whenever we can.