Daily Thai Confidence — Using น่าเสียดาย (nâa-sǐa-dāai)

Adjective: น่าเสียดาย (nâa-sǐa-dāai)
Meaning: what a pity/ it’s a shame / what a waste / it’s unfortunate

In this Thai lesson, we learn how to use the adjective น่าเสียดาย (nâa-sǐa-dāai), which can be translated as ‘what a pity,’ ‘it’s a shame,’ or ‘unfortunate’. It is used to express regret, disappointment, or sympathy about a situation that did not turn out well.

This adjective-like expression is formed from the prefix  น่า (nâa), which is used before an adjective or a verb to express that something is worthy of a particular feeling or naturally causes that feeling. In this case, น่า (nâa) is placed before the verb เสียดาย (sǐa-dāai), which means ‘to regret’ or ‘to feel sorry about’ something — especially something that is lost, missed, or wasted. Together, น่าเสียดาย (nâa-sǐa-dāai) literally means ‘worthy of regret’ or ‘evoking a feeling of regret’.

This expression is often used to express regret over a missed opportunity, when something good is wasted or unused, or when a situation could have been better. It reflects a feeling of disappointment rather than a deep sadness or blame, and it is commonly used to comment on outcomes that did not turn out as hoped. Speakers use น่าเสียดาย (nâa-sǐa-dāai) to gently acknowledge that something had value or potential, but circumstances prevented a better result — such as someone not attending an event, a plan being cancelled, or a talent not being fully used. It can also carry polite, empathetic tone, allowing the speaker to show understanding or sympathy without sounding too emotional or critical.

For examples (ตัวอย่างเช่น — dtūa-^awyàang chên)

mān nâa-sǐa-dāai t^hêe k^hǎo mâi dâi māa
Literal: It worthy of feeling regret that he not get come.
It’s a shame that he didn’t come.

The main clause มันน่าเสียดาย (mān nâa-sǐa-dāai = It’s a shame / it’s a pity / it’s unfortunate) is structurally complete on its own. The relative clause ที่เขาไม่ได้มา (t^hêe k^hǎo mâi dâi māa = that he didn’t come) is added to provide specific information about what is regrettable. Please note: When the phrase ไม่ได้ (mâi dâi) is placed before the main verb, it  indicates past negation, showing that an action did not happen or was not completed. It is often translated as ‘did not’ or ‘did not get to’ do the verb that follows — ไม่ได้ (mâi dâi) + main verb. If the phrase ไม่ได้ (mâi dâi) is placed after the main verb or verb phrase, then it means ‘can’ — verb / verb phrase + ไม่ได้ (mâi dâi).

mēe āa-hǎan ^hlěua yéuh mêua k^hēun-née; mān nâa-sǐa-dāai mâak
Literal: Have food left over a lot last night; it worthy of feeling regret very.
There was a lot of food left over last night; it’s a real shame.

The main clause มีอาหารเหลือเยอะเมื่อคืนนี้ (mēe āa-hǎan ^hlěua yéuh mêua k^hēun-née = there was a lot of food left over last night) is structurally complete on its own. The clause มันน่าเสียดายมาก (mān nâa-sǐa-dāai mâak = it’s a real shame) is added to express the speaker’s feeling about that situation, showing regret that something good was wasted or not used. Please note: The verb เหลือ (^hlěua = to be left / to remain / to have leftover) is used when something is not completely used, finished, eaten, spent, or taken, and some part of it still exists after an action or event. In everyday Thai, this verb often appears after a noun to show what remains, such as อาหารเหลือ (āa-hǎan ^hlěua = leftover food); เงินเหลือ (ngēuhn ^hlěua = money left) etc.

k^hǎo lāa-àwk jàak ngāan; mān nâa-sǐa-dāai jīng-jīng p^hrót wâa k^hǎo bpēn p^há-nák-ngāan t^hêe mēe k^hwāam-sǎa-mâad mâak
Literal: He resign from job; it worthy of feeling regret really because he to be employee that have capability very.
He resigned from his job; it’s a real shame because he is a very capable employee.

The main clause เขาลาออกจากงาน (k^hǎo lāa-àwk jàak ngāan = he resigned from his job) is structurally complete on its own. The clause มันน่าเสียดายจริงๆ (mān nâa-sǐa-dāai jīng-jīng = it’s a real shame / what a pity / it’s very unfortunate) is added to express the speaker’s feeling about that situation, showing regret over the loss of a valuable employee. The reason clause เพราะว่าเขาเป็นพนักงานที่มีความสามารถมาก (p^hrót wâa k^hǎo bpēn p^há-nák-ngāan t^hêe mēe k^hwāam-sǎa-mâad mâak = because he is a very capable employee) explains why the speaker feeling that it is regrettable, giving context to the emotional comment. Please note: The verb phrase ลาออก (lāa-àwk) means ‘’to resign’ or ‘to quit’ and is used specifically for leaving a job, position, or official role permanently. For taking a short break from work or to take leave from work, the verb phrase ลางาน (lāa-ngāan) is used instead.

mān nâa-sǐa-dāai t^hêe p^hûak-rāo p^hlâad ōo-gàad séu dtǔa lód rāa-k^hāa
Literal: It worthy of feeling regret that we miss opportunity buy ticket reduced price.
It’s a shame we missed the chance to buy discounted tickets.

The main clause มันน่าเสียดาย (mān nâa-sǐa-dāai = it’s a shame / what a pity / it’s unfortunate) is structurally complete on its own. The relative clause ที่พวกเราพลาดโอกาสซื้อตั๋วลดราคา (t^hêe p^hûak-rāo p^hlâad ō-gàad séu dtǔa lód rāa-k^hāa = that we missed the chance to buy discounted tickets) is added to explains what is regrettable, showing the missed opportunity. Please note: The verb พลาด (p^hlâad) means ‘to miss,’ ‘to fail,’ or ‘to slip up’ and is used when someone fails to take advantage of an opportunity, misses an event, or makes a mistake. For example: พลาดโอกาส (p^hlâad ōo-gàad = to miss a chance or opportunity); พลาดรถไฟ (p^hlâad ród-fāi = to miss a train); พลาดรถเมล์ (p^hlâad ród-māy = to miss a bus); พลาดการประชุม (p^hlâad gāan-bprà-chūm = to miss a meeting); พลาดการนัดหมาย (p^hlâad gāan-nád-^hmǎai = to miss an appointment) etc.

Practise putting your newly learned Thai word into a sentence by translating the following sentences below.

1. What a pity that she forgot her passport at home.
2. It’s a shame that the movie started before we arrived.
3. It’s a shame that he didn’t get the promotion.
4. What a pity that we missed the sunset at the beach.
5. It’s really unfortunate that the concert was cancelled.

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Urai Khomkham

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