Desværre

Desværre is a Danish adverb meaning "unfortunately" or "sadly." It is used to express regret about a situation or to introduce unfavorable information, and it can appear at the beginning of a sentence or inside one. In spoken language it often accompanies a brief concession or apology.

Etymology: Desværre is formed by the prefix des- meaning "un-" and værre, the comparative form of vær, meaning "bad" or "worse." The compound has appeared in Danish since the Early Modern period to signal disappointment or bad news.

Usage: It commonly precedes the clause it modifies, as in Desværre er mødet aflyst (Unfortunately the meeting is canceled). It can also follow a verb or be placed mid-sentence, for example Jeg kan desværre ikke deltage i mødet. In negative constructions it is often paired with ikke as in desværre ikke.

Style and nuance: Desværre is neutral to moderately formal and is widely used in journalism, formal writing, and everyday speech. It softens a statement and communicates regret without assigning fault.

Translations and notes: The closest English equivalents are "unfortunately," "sadly," and "regrettably." It forms common phrases such as desværre ikke (unfortunately not). The word is generally appropriate across registers, though in very casual speech speakers might opt for milder expressions in specific contexts.

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