惜(お)しいregrettable, disappointing, precious, dear, valuable, too good for, deserving better, almost but not quite

このペンは高(たか)かったので捨(す)てるのが惜(お)しい。

I hate to throw this pen away because it was expensive. {regrettable, disappointing, precious, dear, valuable, too good for, deserving better, almost but not quite}

惜(お)しくも賞(しょう)を逃(のが)したが、次(つぎ)は賞(しょう)を取(と)れるだろう。

I regretfully missed the prize, but I should be able to win it next time. {regrettable, disappointing, precious, dear, valuable, too good for, deserving better, almost but not quite}

先生(せんせい)：「遅刻(ちこく)した人(ひと)を待(ま)つ時間(じかん)が惜(お)しいので、先(さき)に行(い)きましょう。」

Teacher: 'The time spent waiting for the person who is late is precious, so let's go ahead.' {regrettable, disappointing, precious, dear, valuable, too good for, deserving better, almost but not quite}

誘拐(ゆうかい)犯(はん)：「いいか？命(いのち)が惜(お)しければ、大人(おとな)しくこの車(くるま)に乗(の)りたまえ！」

Kidnapper: 'Listen well, if you value your life, get in this car quietly!' {regrettable, disappointing, precious, dear, valuable, too good for, deserving better, almost but not quite}

若(わか)くして亡(な)くなったのは惜(お)しいことだ。婚約(こんやく)者(しゃ)もいて人生(じんせい)これからだったのに…。

It's a shame that they passed away so young. They even had a fiancé and their life was just about to start... {regrettable, disappointing, precious, dear, valuable, too good for, deserving better, almost but not quite}