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March 24, 2026
可惜kěxī(ke3xi1)
可惜 (kěxī) expresses a sense of regret or disappointment about a situation that could have been better. It is commonly used to convey feelings of loss or missed opportunities, often in response to something unfortunate that has occurred.
Frequency#1854DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing regret through phrases like 可惜 is common, especially in conversations about missed opportunities, such as failing to attend a significant event or not achieving a personal goal.
Memory Tip
Think of 可 (kě) as a 'key' that unlocks the idea of 'pity' (惜 xī). Imagine losing your key and feeling regret about not being able to enter a place you wanted to go, thus creating a vivid image of 'what a pity'.
Meanings of 可惜
kěxī(ke3xi1)
1it is a pity
2what a pity
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 可惜
可惜Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#1854Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 可惜
Podcast: 可惜
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AI Study Notes for 可惜
Quick Contrast
可惜 (kěxī) vs 遗憾 (yíhàn): choose 可惜 for a more casual expression of regret, while 遗憾 conveys a deeper sense of sorrow or loss.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 可 (kě) as a 'key' that unlocks the idea of 'pity' (惜 xī). Imagine losing your key and feeling regret about not being able to enter a place you wanted to go, thus creating a vivid image of 'what a pity'.
Usage Notes
Learners often use 可惜 in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in conversational settings. A common mistake is to confuse it with 可爱 (kě'ài), which means 'cute'; remember that 可惜 relates to regret. Be mindful of the tone; the third tone (ke3) must be pronounced correctly.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 可惜 connects with other emotional expressions and adjectives that convey feelings. Students should focus on using it in sentences to express their feelings about various situations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing regret through phrases like 可惜 is common, especially in conversations about missed opportunities, such as failing to attend a significant event or not achieving a personal goal.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 可惜 incorrectly in positive contexts, such as saying '可惜这个人很聪明' (It's a pity this person is smart), which is incorrect. The correct usage would be to refer to something unfortunate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 可惜
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Grammar Patterns of 可惜
可惜 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
" The magistrates are God - fearing gentlemen, but merciful overmuch -- that is a truth, " added a third autumnal matron.
Cultural Notes for 可惜
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing regret through phrases like 可惜 is common, especially in conversations about missed opportunities, such as failing to attend a significant event or not achieving a personal goal.
Frequently Asked Questions about 可惜
No, 可惜 should be used to describe situations or events, not people.
You can say, '这场比赛可惜输了' (It's a pity we lost this match).
Yes, 可惜 is appropriate for both written and spoken Chinese.
