Inklingo

How to Say "pity" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “pity” is “lástima” — use 'lástima' when you feel a basic level of sympathy or sorrow for someone's sad situation, often with a sense of regret..

English → Spanish
nounA2general
Use 'lástima' when you feel a basic level of sympathy or sorrow for someone's sad situation, often with a sense of regret.

Examples

Me da lástima que no hayas podido venir.

I feel sorry that you couldn't come.

pena

/PEH-nah//ˈpena/

nounA2general
Use 'pena' to express regret or a feeling of sadness about a situation, often translated as 'what a shame' or 'it's a pity'.
A sad child sitting on the floor next to a broken, single-wheeled toy car, illustrating sorrow or pity.

Examples

¡Qué pena que el concierto se haya cancelado!

What a shame the concert was canceled!

Qué pena que no puedas venir a la fiesta.

What a shame you can't come to the party.

Me da mucha pena ver a los perros en la calle.

It makes me very sad to see dogs on the street.

Siento una gran pena por su pérdida.

I feel great sorrow for their loss.

Expressing Feelings with 'Dar'

Instead of saying 'I feel sad' (Siento pena), it's very common to say something 'gives' you sadness: 'Me da pena'. Think of it like 'It gives me sadness' or 'It makes me sad'.

compasión

nounB1general
Choose 'compasión' for a deeper, more empathetic feeling of sorrow for someone's suffering or misfortune, often involving a desire to help.

Examples

El voluntario sintió compasión por los animales abandonados.

The volunteer felt compassion for the abandoned animals.

piedad

pee-eh-DAHD/pjeˈðað/

nounB1formal
Use 'piedad' when you feel pity for someone suffering, especially when it involves a plea for mercy or leniency.
A large, caring hand gently resting on the shoulder of a smaller, sad figure who is sitting down, illustrating comfort and compassion.

Examples

El prisionero pidió piedad al juez.

The prisoner begged the judge for mercy.

El juez tuvo piedad y le redujo la sentencia.

The judge showed mercy and reduced his sentence.

Por piedad, no me dejes aquí solo.

For pity's sake (or 'Have mercy'), don't leave me here alone.

Sentí una gran piedad por los animales abandonados.

I felt great pity for the abandoned animals.

Always Feminine

Remember that 'piedad' is always a feminine noun, so you use 'la piedad' or 'una piedad'.

Confusing Pity and Sadness

Mistake: “Using 'piedad' when you mean simple sadness or regret ('lástima').”

Correction: 'Piedad' suggests deep compassion for suffering, often implying a plea for mercy. Use '¡Qué lástima!' for 'What a shame!'.

misericordia

/mee-seh-ree-KOR-dya//miseriˈkorðja/

nounB2formal
Use 'misericordia' to describe a profound feeling of compassion and mercy, often in situations involving forgiveness or a desire to alleviate extreme suffering.
A tall, cloaked figure extends a hand to lift a small, kneeling figure in a desolate landscape, symbolizing mercy and compassion.

Examples

La organización busca mostrar misericordia a los refugiados.

The organization seeks to show mercy to the refugees.

El juez mostró misericordia y redujo la sentencia del acusado.

The judge showed mercy and reduced the defendant's sentence.

La religión enseña la importancia de la misericordia hacia el prójimo.

Religion teaches the importance of compassion toward one's neighbor.

A Feminine Noun

Since it ends in -a, it is a feminine noun and requires feminine articles (la misericordia) and adjectives.

Lástima vs. Pena

Learners often confuse 'lástima' and 'pena'. While both are common and express regret or sorrow, 'pena' is frequently used as an exclamation ('¡Qué pena!') for something unfortunate, like missing an event. 'Lástima' is more often used to express personal sympathy for a person's situation.

Related Translations

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