This might sound like a mini rant, but at least to me, from the UK, “too bad” sounds like “tough luck”. Also, I haven’t found anywhere else that uses “too bad” as a translation. It’s a little frustrating seeing “too bad” as the meaning and then having to remind myself that it is meant genuinely and not my usual interpretation of “too bad” by itself.
There are some contexts where “too bad” sounds sincere, but most of the time it has the opposite meaning of the word 残念, at least from my understanding.
Also, none of the context sentences use the translation “too bad” so again, I feel it is not a good primary meaning, and I would argue it should be changed.
Edit: My problem isn’t the inclusion of that translation, but rather the fact it is the primary meaning rather than an alternative.
As an Australian English speaker, the feeling I’m getting from Google is that this one’s an American English thing, where “that’s too bad” or “that’s a pity” is probably somewhat equivalent to 残念ですね. But yeah, reckon if “too bad” gets used over here, it’d be more like “haha! TOO BAD!”
Same energy as あら〜、残念！(adapt the first part based on gender)
Whether 残念 is genuine or not will be given by context and voice tone (like in English it seems).
I’m American and had to read this post and your reply like 8 times before I figured out what other connotation of “too bad” you all were even referring to. The mocking “too bad, so sad!” I guess? But yeah, “that’s too bad” can be like “that’s disappointing” in American English.
Anyways, OP, this is probably a case to add a synonym for what you want to type in and be done with it
I don’t need to add a synonym because “unfortunate” is the answer. I just think that should have been the primary reading. “Too bad” is what comes up front and center when seeing what the answer is.
A first world problem 100%, but frustrating it is also
It’s worth remembering that Wanikani was created by Tofugu, an American company, so although they do their best to include British English, they’re still going to subconsciously default to American English. Or, like in this case, they may not even realize that you have a different meaning for this phrase. I know I sure never think of “too bad” in a condescending manner. If it bothers you that much, or if anything like this in the future bothers you, you can always email Wanikani, or tag the mods here, and explain the situation. They’re very open to making changes that accomodate different versions of English.
It would be nice WaniKani has user-ignored meanings, that is, making primary meaning or alternatives not correct and not within typo acceptance. Ignoring primary meaning should make an alternative the new primary meaning. In addition, changing Kanji reading emphasis from Kun to On.
But that’s probably one of the things difficult to happen for the website. Or even for UserScripts, for now users are rather concerned about getting more rights…
Not discouraging mods from implementing this in the near future, though. That would be ありがたい.
Hey! Letting y’all know the meanings for 残念 have been updated. Content team updated the primary meaning to “unfortunate” and moved “too bad” to be an alternative meaning. They also updated the meaning explanation and common word combinations.
and had to read this post and your reply like 8 times before I figured out what other connotation of “too bad” you all were even referring to. The mocking “too bad, so sad!” I guess? But yeah, “that’s too bad” can be like “that’s disappointing” in American English.
