Meaning and Usage
"惜しい" (おしい) expresses a feeling of regret or disappointment when something nearly succeeds or is close to being perfect but falls short. It often conveys a sense of 'almost' or 'just missed.'
Common Contexts
It is frequently used in sports, exams, or any situation where an outcome was close to success but not quite achieved. It can also soften criticism by acknowledging effort or proximity to the correct answer.
Collocations and Patterns
- 惜しいところ (おしいところ): "the regrettable part" or "the close point" — used to highlight the near success or flaw.
- 惜しいけど (おしいけど): "it's a pity but..." — often used to transition to a conclusion despite regret.
- 惜しい点 (おしいてん): "regrettable point" — used in evaluations or feedback.
Register and Nuance
"惜しい" is casual to neutral in tone and can be used in both spoken and written Japanese. It is polite enough for everyday conversation but not formal business language.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "惜しい" with words meaning "precious" or "valuable" (like "大切" or "貴重"), but "惜しい" specifically focuses on the feeling of regret over a missed opportunity or near success, not intrinsic value.