Italian Phrase
Mi dispiace per loro.
Meaning
This phrase is used to express sympathy, pity, or regret regarding a situation affecting others. It literally translates to 'It displeases me for them,' using the indirect object 'mi' to indicate who is feeling the emotion.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing people who are going through a difficult time, facing bad luck, or suffering a loss. It is suitable for both casual conversations and more serious emotional contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Midispiaceperloro
Mi (Indirect Object)
The pronoun 'mi' means 'to me'. In this construction, the feeling of regret is something that happens 'to' you.
Dispiace (Impersonal Verb)
This is the third-person singular of 'dispiacere'. It stays in this form because the 'thing' causing the sorrow is the implied subject.
Per loro
'Per' is the preposition for 'for', and 'loro' is the stressed pronoun for 'them' used after prepositions.
🗨In Conversation
Hanno perso il lavoro a causa della crisi.
They lost their jobs because of the crisis.
Mi dispiace per loro.
I feel sorry for them.
✕Common Mistakes
Io dispiaccio per loro.
The verb 'dispiacere' is used impersonally; you should use 'mi dispiace' rather than conjugating it like a standard transitive verb.
Mi dispiace di loro.
Use the preposition 'per' (for) to indicate the people you feel sorry for, rather than 'di' (of).
↔Alternatives
Poveri loro.
Poor them.
Mi spiace per loro.
I'm sorry for them (slightly more colloquial).
Mi rincresce per loro.
I regret it for them (formal).
Cultural Tip
In Italy, expressing empathy is a significant part of social bonding. Saying 'Mi dispiace' shows you are emotionally engaged in the conversation. However, ensure your tone is sincere, as it can sometimes sound dismissive if said too quickly.