leider

unfortunately

adverb LY-der Common

Usage Note

leider is the standard sentence adverb for regret and softens a refusal, as in Das geht leider nicht ('Unfortunately that won't work'). The stock reply Leider nicht means 'Sadly no'.

Examples

"Leider habe ich keine Zeit."

Natural Translation

Unfortunately I have no time.

Literal Translation

Unfortunately have I no time.

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