Learn Hardcore Japanese: zannen desu ga, konya no kaigi ni ikemasen. - It’s unfortunate, but I can’t go to the meeting tonight.

Here が is a conjunction meaning “but/however,” linking a softening preface to the main statement. So 残念です (“It’s regrettable”) + が (“but…”) politely introduces the refusal that follows. It’s not the subject-marking が here.

Why is です used after 残念?

残念 is a na-adjective. When used predicatively, it needs the copula: plain form 残念だ, polite 残念です. Before a noun, it takes な (e.g., 残念な結果 “a regrettable result”). In this sentence the polite style matches 行けません.

What’s the difference between 残念ですが and 残念ながら?

Both mean “unfortunately,” but:

残念ですが、… literally “It’s regrettable, but …” and works as a softening lead-in to bad news in speech.
残念ながら、… is an adverbial “unfortunately,” a bit more neutral/statement-like and common in writing or announcements. Either is fine here.

Why is it 行けません and not 行きません?

行けません is the negative potential form: “cannot go” (unable due to circumstances). 行きません means “will not go” (a choice or decision). For schedule conflicts or inability, Japanese prefers the potential: 行けません.

How do I form the potential of 行く?

For godan verbs, change the final -u to -e and add る. So:

Dictionary: 行く
Potential (plain): 行ける
Polite potential: 行けます
Polite negative potential: 行けません You can also say 行くことができません, but 行けません is shorter and very natural.

Isn’t いけません also used for “that’s not allowed”? Is this ambiguous?

There are two look-alikes:

行けません (with the kanji 行) = “cannot go.”
いけません from いけない = “not good / must not,” as in 〜てはいけません (“you mustn’t …”). In context with 会議に, it’s clearly “cannot go.” Kanji or context resolves any ambiguity.

Why is the particle に used after 会議?

With movement/attendance, X に行く is the standard pattern: “go to X (to attend).” へ marks direction and is less common for events; 会議に行く is the natural collocation.

Can I say 今夜の会議には行けません? What does は add?

Yes. には topicalizes/contrasts: “As for tonight’s meeting, I can’t go (though other meetings might be fine).” Without は, it’s a neutral “I can’t go to tonight’s meeting.”

Could I use すみませんが instead of 残念ですが?

Yes. すみませんが、… means “I’m sorry, but …” and is more of an apology to the listener. 残念ですが、… expresses regret about the situation. In more formal contexts, 申し訳ありませんが、… is stronger.

Are there more specific verbs for “attend” than 行く?

Yes, and they often sound more natural:

出席できません = “I can’t attend (formally).”
参加できません = “I can’t participate (neutral).”
出られません (from 出る) = “I can’t attend” (colloquial). All are good alternatives to 会議に行けません.

What’s the difference between 今夜, 今晩, and 今日の夜?

All can mean “tonight.”

今夜（こんや） and 今晩（こんばん） are near-synonyms; 今晩 is slightly more conversational, 今夜 can feel a touch more formal/literary, but both are common.
今日の夜 literally “tonight” too; a bit longer/plain. Any can modify 会議: 今夜の会議, 今晩の会議, 今日の夜の会議.

What does の do in 今夜の会議?

の links nouns into an attributive phrase. 今夜の会議 = “tonight’s meeting” (a meeting of tonight).

Why are there spaces between the words? Do Japanese normally write like that?

No. Standard Japanese writing doesn’t use spaces between words. They’re added here for learners. Normally you’d write: 残念ですが、今夜の会議に行けません。

Can I say this casually?

Yes. Plain/casual: 残念だけど、今夜の会議に行けない。 You can also use けど or けれど. Keep formality consistent within the sentence.

Is it okay to mix だ and ます levels, like 残念だが、行けません?

It’s better to stay consistent. Use either all polite (残念ですが、行けません) or all plain (残念だが、行けない). Mild mixing occurs in real speech, but learners should avoid it.

How would I say “I couldn’t go (in the end)” or “I ended up being unable to go”?

Polite past inability: 行けませんでした。
Plain past: 行けなかった。
If circumstances changed: 行けなくなりました。 (“I became unable to go.”)

How do you pronounce the sentence?

Romanization: Zannen desu ga, konya no kaigi ni ikemasen. Note that the u in です is often devoiced, so it sounds like “des.” Readings: 残念（ざんねん）, 今夜（こんや）, 会議（かいぎ）, 行けません（いけません）.

Why is there a comma after が?

The comma marks a natural pause after the introductory clause (残念ですが、). It’s stylistic but common; it helps the reader hear “Unfortunately,” as a lead-in before the main point.