Is it okay nowadays to use the phrase "it's a pity" in the everyday conversation in the contexts like in following example:
"Please how do I get to airport?"
"It's a pity, I don't know."
If not, what would be an appropriate equivalent?
Edited (added):
As it follows from answers, this phrase is almost never used by native English speakers. Could you please specify how this phrase sounds for native speaker - as too formal or as archaic or anything else?
Certainly "I don't know, I'm afraid" is more common in England today. In this particular context, referring to yourself, I would say it sounds more archaic than formal.
"It's a shame" would often be used in other circumstances, e.g. "It's a shame the weather spoiled the event." Today "it's a pity" would be more commonly used in such a circumstance.
I'd prefer "unfortunately" instead of "it's a pity".
I normally say I am sorry. The only case where I would use pity is in for pity's sake. (See the first example of phrases containing pity.)
The more common usage in my part of Texas would be "I'm sorry, I don't know," because it is a "simple" problem; whereas "It's a pity," "Sadly," or even "Alas," would be for situations where the problem more profound (such as you have to pick up the president, pope, or mother-in-law).
"It's a pity" is slightly old-fashioned, but I do hear it used from time to time.
It's a pity that he didn't spell-check his letter to the editor.
It's a pity that we didn't drive a stake through the vampire's heart when we had the chance.
It can imply a slight amount of sympathy, condescension, or (yes) pity on the part of the speaker.
It's a pity isn't quite worn out yet, but using Pity! as a complete sentence is distinctively "Britishy". What is old-fashioned is to use the 'tis contraction instead of it is: `tis a pity!
The word pity is both a verb and noun. Should the public pity Lance Armstrong? It is an important word in the English language for which there is no equally glib substitute. Feel sorry for is three words which can be expressed by one.
In North America, the expression too bad is often used rather than it's a pity. For instance, rather than it's a pity you aren't able to attend becomes too bad you aren't able to attend. Not all uses of one phrase substitute for the other. Too bad! by itself also means although you don't like it, you should stop complaining and accept the situation (also expressed by phrases like tough luck!, suck it up! or deal with it!) whereas it's a pity has no such use.
It's a pity (that I don't know how to get to the airport) isn't a usage you will likely hear from a native speakers because it expresses an irrational degree of regret over something trivial. It sounds as if the speaker missed some past opportunity to learn how to get to the airport, and for some reason it is regretfully too late to acquire that knowledge.
The "Britishy" Pity!, however, can be used for lamenting trivial annoyances, similarly to words like darn, shucks, drats and so on.
A: I'm afraid we're out of tea, darling.
B: Pity!
Before I came to Germany from America, I never said "It's a pity." I would say, "It's too bad."
But "it's a pity" must have been published in some basic vocabulary book here because almost all German speakers who speak English say, "It's a pity". I imagine it's British originally.
I have been looking for a good alternative to pity and a shame, as they are both quite 'pityful' expressions. "I am sorry" (if you take it literally) is as pityful if not more as pity and shame, because the person saying it identifies themself with being in a sorry state!
I like the suggestion given earlier on this page. The most neutral expression to replace "it's a pity" or "that's a shame" would be "that's unfortunate". There's no drama in it — it's just an observation.
To me, the best alternatives would be "I am sorry ..." or "unfortunately ..."
Pardon me
"Please how do I get to airport?"
"Pardon me, I don't know."
https://www.google.com/search?q=%22pardon+me+i+don%27t+know%22
