気の毒 (pitiable, unfortunate)

The set phrase 気の毒 (literally '気 + poison'), meaning 'pitiable, unfortunate, regrettable.' Conveys sympathy for someone in a bad situation. Very commonly fronted with the honorific お as お気の毒 / お気の毒に for offering condolence — 'that's too bad, I'm sorry to hear that, poor you.' The formal お気の毒に存じます is funeral-appropriate; the casual お気の毒に can be sincere or lightly mocking depending on tone.