Engels

pity

gb/pˈɪti/ us/pˈɪti/
A2 Engels
~ 2000
Betekenissen
0 betekenissen
Zelfstandig naamwoord B1 state
1

Feeling sad for someone's suffering

A feeling of sadness because someone is hurt, sick, or has problems.

Gebruikspatroon: to feel pity for [someone]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pity' with 'pitiful'; 'pitiful' describes something causing pity or deserving criticism, not the feeling itself.
Synoniemen
compassion (Emphasizes sympathy and a desire to help, often more positive than 'pity'.) | sympathy (Focuses on sharing another's feelings, not necessarily implying superiority.)
Antoniemen
indifference (Lack of concern or interest in someone's suffering.)
Woordcombinaties
feel pity |deep pity |express pity |pity for |full of pity
Thema's
emotions |relationships |daily life
Voorbeelden
  • She felt pity for the homeless man sitting in the cold.
  • His eyes were full of pity when he heard her story.
  • 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.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
  • I feel pity for the sick dog.
  • She looked at me with pity.
  • He has pity for poor people.
  • They gave him food out of pity.
Zelfstandig naamwoord A2 entity
2

Something regrettable or unfortunate

Something that is sad or makes you wish it was different.

Gebruikspatroon: It's a pity (that) [clause]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners may confuse this with feeling pity for someone; here it means 'unfortunate', not 'feeling compassion'.
Synoniemen
shame (Informal equivalent in this sense, expressing mild regret.)
Antoniemen
relief (A positive feeling when something undesirable did not happen.)
Woordcombinaties
what a pity |it's a pity |such a pity
Thema's
emotions |daily life |core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
  • It’s a pity you couldn’t come to the party.
  • What a pity that the museum is closed today.
  • Such a pity we missed the beginning of the movie.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
  • It is a pity you are not here.
  • What a pity the shop is closed.
  • It is a pity we lost the game.
Werkwoord B1 action
3

To feel sad for someone's suffering

To feel sad because someone is hurt, sick, or has problems.

Gebruikspatroon: to pity [someone]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pity' as a verb with 'be pitied'; 'be pitied' means others feel pity for you.
Synoniemen
feel sorry for (Informal equivalent, common in everyday speech.)
Antoniemen
ignore (To deliberately not notice or care about someone's suffering.)
Woordcombinaties
pity someone |pity the poor |pity the weak
Thema's
emotions |relationships
Voorbeelden
  • I pity anyone who has to work in those conditions.
  • She pitied the abandoned puppy and took it home.
  • They pitied him for losing his job.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
  • I pity the sick man.
  • She pities her old neighbor.
  • We pity the lost child.
Grammatica
Lemmavorm
pity
IPA
GB/pˈɪti/
US/pˈɪti/
Lettergrepen en klemtoon
pity (1 lettergreep)
Stress on 1st syllable (pity)
Woordvormen
Noun
  • Base: pity
  • Plural: pity
Verb
  • Base: pity
  • 3rd Person Singular: pities
  • Present Participle: pitying
  • Past: pitied
Woordfamilie
Forms
pities verb pitying verb pitied verb
Core family
pitiful adjective B2
Related words
pitifully adverb
Negative and opposite forms
pitiless adjective C1
Advanced or less common
pitiable adjective
Uitdrukkingen

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.

Voorbeelden
  • 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.

Voorbeelden
  • 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.

Voorbeelden
  • What a pity you missed the concert!
  • It’s raining—what a pity, we wanted to go hiking.

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