JLPT N3 Intermediate
惜しい
So close yet missed, or too valuable to waste
Readings
Other forms
惜しく adverbial form
惜しかった past tense
惜しくない negative
1 I-adjective
"So close!" / "Almost!"
Expresses the frustration or regret felt when a desired outcome was nearly achieved but ultimately missed.
Example
A テスト 、 どう だった ？
B ９８ 点 だった 。 あと 一 問 で 満点 だった のに 、 本当に 惜しかった 。
[A:] How was the test? [B:] I got a 98. I was just one question away from a perfect score, it was so close.
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2 I-adjective
"What a waste" / "Too valuable to lose"
Describes a sense of reluctance to part with something valuable or a feeling that a specific loss is deeply regrettable.
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3 I-adjective
"Too good for"
Indicates that a person or object is of such high quality that their current position, treatment, or partner is unworthy of them.
Usage notes & examples
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