leider

Leider is a German adverb that expresses regret about a fact or situation. It translates to “unfortunately” and is used to acknowledge something undesirable without assigning blame. It can appear at the beginning of a sentence or after the subject: “Leider kann ich heute nicht kommen.” or “Ich kann heute leider nicht kommen.” It can also modify a whole clause, as in “Es ist leider zu spät.”

Etymology: The word comes from the noun Leid, meaning suffering or sorrow. Over time, it developed into an adverbial form that signals regret in statements. It is an adverb, not a noun, and in normal sentences it is lowercase unless it begins a sentence.

Usage notes: Leider is common in both spoken and written German. It softens statements and can express a sense of resignation. In more formal contexts, alternatives such as bedauerlicherweise (“regrettably”) or unglücklicherweise (“unfortunately”) may be preferred, depending on tone. It is not used to express blame or anger.

Translations and nuance: In English, leider most often translates as “unfortunately.” The word carries a neutral to mildly lamenting tone and is appropriate for a wide range of situations, from casual reminders to formal notices.