Unfortunate in Tagalog

Unfortunate in Tagalog translates to “malas,” “kawawa,” or “nakakalungkot” depending on context. The term describes unlucky situations, regrettable events, or people deserving sympathy.

Discovering how Tagalog expresses misfortune reveals cultural perspectives on luck, fate, and empathy in Filipino communication.

[Words] = Unfortunate

[Definition]:

• Unfortunate /ʌnˈfɔːrtʃənət/
• Adjective 1: Having or marked by bad luck; unlucky.
• Adjective 2: Regrettable or undesirable; causing sadness or disappointment.
• Adjective 3: Deserving pity or sympathy due to adverse circumstances.

[Synonyms] = Malas, Kawawa, Nakakalungkot, Hindi kapalaran, Kaawa-awa, Hindi sinwerte, Nakapanghihinayang, Malungkot na pangyayari, Masamang palad, Walang suwerte

[Example]:

Ex1_EN: It was unfortunate that the flight was cancelled due to bad weather.
Ex1_PH: Nakakalungkot na nakansela ang lipad dahil sa masamang panahon.

Ex2_EN: The unfortunate man lost his job and his home in the same month.
Ex2_PH: Ang kaawa-awang lalaki ay nawalan ng trabaho at tahanan sa parehong buwan.

Ex3_EN: She made an unfortunate comment that offended everyone at the meeting.
Ex3_PH: Siya ay gumawa ng nakapanghihinayang na komento na nakasama sa lahat sa pulong.

Ex4_EN: How unfortunate that you missed the opportunity to study abroad.
Ex4_PH: Ang malas naman na napalampas mo ang pagkakataon na mag-aral sa ibang bansa.

Ex5_EN: The unfortunate incident left many families without shelter.
Ex5_PH: Ang malungkot na pangyayari ay nag-iwan ng maraming pamilya na walang tirahan.