schade
too bad
Expresses regret or disappointment about a circumstance; regrettable.
EXAMPLE
Es ist schade, dass du morgen nicht zur Party kommen kannst.
It's too bad that you can't come to the party tomorrow.
schade
too bad
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Meanings
sich zu schade sein für
to think oneself above
To consider oneself too good or overqualified for a particular task or activity.
EXAMPLE
Er ist sich nicht zu schade dafür, auch mal beim Abwaschen zu helfen.
He doesn't think himself above helping with the dishes once in a while.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'schade' (too bad) is related to the noun 'der Schaden' (damage). When something is 'schade' (too bad), you feel it as a small loss or disappointment.
EXAMPLE
Der Sturm hat großen Schaden am Haus verursacht.
The storm caused major damage to the house.
Only predicative
In the meaning of 'bedauerlich' (regrettable), 'schade' (too bad) is used almost exclusively predicatively (after the noun) or as a standalone exclamation. You cannot place it before a noun and decline it.
EXAMPLE
Schade, dass das Wetter so schlecht ist.
Too bad that the weather is so bad.
Use with 'um'
To express what you feel regret about, 'schade' (too bad) is often combined with the preposition 'um' + accusative. This emphasizes that something was wasted.
EXAMPLE
Das Essen war nicht lecker. Schade um das Geld!
The food wasn't tasty. What a waste of money!
Fixed expression
The expression 'sich für etwas zu schade sein' (to think oneself too good for something) has a fixed structure. It requires a reflexive pronoun (e.g. 'sich' (oneself), 'mir' (myself), 'dir' (yourself)) and the preposition 'für' (for) with the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Manche Leute sind sich für einfache Arbeiten zu schade.
Some people think they are too good for simple work.
Compare with
schade vs leider
unfortunately
Leider and schade can both accompany disappointing news. Leider comments on the sentence as an adverb, whereas schade evaluates the whole situation and often appears as “Das ist schade” or as an exclamation. Leider is usually appropriate before announcing news, while schade is often used as a reaction.
schade
Schade, dass unser gemeinsamer Ausflug am Samstag ausfällt.
Too bad our outing together on Saturday has been canceled.
leider
Leider fällt unser gemeinsamer Ausflug am Samstag aus.
Unfortunately, our outing together on Saturday has been canceled.
In real life
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