How to Say Unfortunately in Spanish | MostUsedWords.com
As of 2026, mastering common adverbs like "unfortunately" is crucial when learning Spanish. In Spanish, the word desafortunadamente (IPA: /des.a.for.tu.na.ˈðe.men.te/) or desgraciadamente (IPA: /des.ɡɾa.θi.a.ˈðe.men.te/) is used to express disappointment or regret, adding depth and nuance to your conversations.
2,500 most common Spanish words with IPA pronunciation & bilingual example sentences
How to Say "Unfortunately" in Spanish
In different Spanish-speaking countries, the usage of these adverbs can vary slightly. For instance, while desafortunadamente is widely recognized across Latin America and Spain, some regions might prefer alternatives like lamentablemente. Understanding regional preferences enhances your ability to communicate effectively in diverse settings.
Pronunciation Tips for "Unfortunately" in Spanish
Want to improve your Spanish?
The Spanish Frequency Dictionary series covers the 10,000 most common Spanish words — ranked by how often native speakers actually use them, with IPA pronunciation, English translations, and bilingual example sentences at every level.
Browse all 4 volumes →Mastering the pronunciation of these adverbs is key. Practice saying desafortunadamente and desgraciadamente, paying attention to the stress on different syllables. This will help you sound more natural when speaking Spanish.
How to Say "Unfortunately" in Spanish: Sample Sentences
To better understand how these adverbs are used, consider the following sentences:
- Hoy desafortunadamente no puedo asistir a la reunión. (Today unfortunately I cannot attend the meeting.)
- Lamentablemente el vuelo ha sido cancelado por mal tiempo. (Regrettably, the flight has been canceled due to bad weather.)
- Tristemente, no conseguimos ganar el partido. (Sadly, we did not manage to win the game.)
- Infortunadamente, tuvimos que posponer la cita. (Unfortunately, we had to postpone the appointment.)
- Infelizmente, no pude encontrar el libro que necesitaba. (Unhappily, I could not find the book that I needed.)
- Mala suerte, tuvimos un accidente en la carretera. (Bad luck, we had an accident on the road.)
- Por desgracia, no tenemos suficiente tiempo para terminar el proyecto. (Unfortunately, we do not have enough time to finish the project.)
- Deplorablemente, la situación empeoró en lugar de mejorar. (Regrettably, the situation worsened instead of improving.)
- Fatalmente, el proyecto no pudo ser completado a tiempo. (Fatally, the project could not be completed on time.)
Build Your Spanish Vocabulary Systematically
The fastest way to grow your Spanish vocabulary is to start with the words you'll actually encounter every day. The Spanish Frequency Dictionary covers the 2,500 most common Spanish words, each with IPA pronunciation, an English translation, and bilingual example sentences.
Browse the full range of Spanish frequency dictionaries to find the volume that matches your level.