sayang
sáyang with stress marks
lost opportunity; Alas!
Usage Note
Sayang is one of the most expressive and culturally loaded words in Tagalog, conveying regret over waste or missed opportunities. Filipinos use it constantly — for uneaten food, broken objects, squandered chances, or unrealized potential. It reflects a deep cultural aversion to wastefulness.
Examples
" Sayang naman, naubos na. "
Natural Translation
What a waste, it's all gone.
Literal Translation
Waste really, used-up already.
" Sayang ang pera mo sa walang kwentang bagay. "
Natural Translation
Your money is a lost opportunity on useless things.
Literal Translation
Lost-opportunity the money your in no worth thing.
" Sayang na sayang ang pagkakataong inalok sa kanya, pero hindi niya tinanggap dahil natakot siya. "
Natural Translation
What a real waste of the opportunity that was offered to him, but he didn't take it because he was afraid.
Literal Translation
Waste really-waste the opportunity-that offered to him, but not he accepted because afraid he.
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