Portuguese Phrase
Que chato, sinto muito.
Meaning
This phrase is a common way to express sympathy or annoyance on someone else's behalf. 'Que chato' functions as 'that's too bad' or 'what a nuisance,' while 'sinto muito' is the standard way to express regret or sympathy.
When to use
Use this when a friend shares minor bad news or an inconvenience, like a cancelled plan or a lost item. It is perfect for informal social settings to show you care about their frustration.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quechato,sintomuito
Que
In this context, 'Que' acts as an intensifier for the following adjective to form an exclamation.
Chato
While it often means 'boring' or 'annoying' when describing people, here it describes a situation as 'unfortunate' or 'a bummer'.
Sinto muito
A fixed expression meaning 'I feel it much,' used to convey sympathy for someone else's situation rather than apologizing for a fault.
🗨In Conversation
Perdi meu ônibus hoje de manhã.
I missed my bus this morning.
Que chato, sinto muito.
That's a bummer, I'm sorry.
✕Common Mistakes
Que chato, sinto muito por você.
In Portuguese, 'sinto muito' is typically used as a standalone phrase to express sympathy without adding 'for you'.
Que chato, estou desculpado.
'Desculpe' is used to ask for forgiveness for your own mistake, whereas 'sinto muito' is for expressing condolences or sympathy.
↔Alternatives
Puxa, que pena!
Wow, what a pity!
Sinto muito por isso.
I'm sorry about that.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, 'chato' is one of the most common words in the language. In this specific context, it shows solidarity with the speaker's frustration, making it a key phrase for building rapport and showing empathy in daily conversations.