How awful

You use it immediately after hearing bad news. Keep your voice low and soft. Do not shout it like you are excited. Use a falling intonation at the end of awful. It works well as a standalone reaction. You can also add a follow-up question. For example, How awful! Are you okay? It shows you are listening closely. It is much better than just saying Oh no which can feel a bit small.

Use it for medium to large problems. If a friend loses their wallet, it fits perfectly. If a colleague's car breaks down, it is very kind. Use it when someone tells you about a breakup or a lost job. It works at a restaurant if someone spills wine on a white dress. It is great for texting when someone sends a sad update. It shows you aren't just reading, but feeling their stress.

Do not use it for tiny, funny problems. If someone runs out of milk, How awful sounds sarcastic. People might think you are making fun of them. Avoid using it for extremely tragic news like a death unless you know the person well. In very formal business meetings about budgets, it might feel too emotional. Stick to I see or That is unfortunate in cold professional settings. Also, do not use it if you are actually happy about the news!

British and American speakers use this to avoid awkward silence. We hate seeing people suffer and not saying anything. It is part of 'active listening' in Western culture. Historically, awful meant 'full of awe' or 'inspiring wonder.' Over time, it shifted to mean 'very bad.' Today, it is a standard 'empathy' phrase. It bridges the gap between being a stranger and being a friend.

You might hear How terrible or How dreadful. In the UK, people love How horrid. If you want to be more casual, try That sucks. If the news is truly shocking, people say How absolutely awful. Adding absolutely makes it much stronger. Just remember to match your face to your words. A big smile while saying How awful will confuse everyone!