What a pity means that's a shame, that's too bad. It's a reaction to a small disappointment or a missed chance: a concert is cancelled, a friend can't come, a museum is closed. For grief and serious loss the phrase is too light; there, people say I'm so sorry.
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What a pity!; What a pity (that) + clause; What a pity + to + verb; it's a pity (that) + clause
- The museum is closed on Mondays? What a pity! We fly home on Tuesday morning.
- What a pity you missed the party. Everyone was asking where you were.
- It's such a lovely evening. What a pity to spend it indoors marking essays.
What changed
First versionThe concert has been cancelled? How pity!
RevisionThe concert has been cancelled? What a pity!
Exclamations with how and what are easy to mix up. How goes before an adjective: How sad! Pity is a noun, so it needs what and the article a: What a pity!
What a shame means exactly the same, not “how disgraceful”: What a shame you can't stay longer! Shame and disapproval are expressed differently: Shame on you! In conversation, especially in American English, what a shame is heard even more often than what a pity.
Your turn
My grandfather passed away last week. — ___. Were you close to him?
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I'm so sorry — The speaker is telling you that their grandfather has died, so you need to show sympathy: I'm so sorry. What a pity is for small disappointments like a cancelled concert, and in reply to news like this it would sound tactless.
A friend writes that they can't come to your birthday party. Reply with what a pity and suggest meeting on another day; say which day.
What a pity you can't come! Let's have dinner together next Saturday instead.
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