1) 这个名词的原意（作为不可数名词）是“耻辱”、“羞耻”，一般出现时也是这个意思。
- He lowered his face in shame.他羞耻得低下头来。
- Don't bring shame on the family.别给家里丢人。
- She is a shame to her family's name.她败坏了门风。
- This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die. Is there not law for it? (Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Scarlet Letter)这个女人丢了我们大家的脸，她应该死。难道法律没有这样规定的吗？
但是，如果以某个情况或行为为主语，shame 前面又加上不定冠词 a，意思就大为减弱，表示“可惜”，完全没有“可耻”、“丢人”的意思了。
- What a shame the pubs are closed.多可惜，酒吧都关了门。
- It's a shame to waste all this food.这些食品全都浪费掉太可惜了。
- What a shame to die so young!年纪轻轻就这样死去，多可惜！
- The cake is ruined. What a shame!蛋糕弄坏了。多可惜！
- It's a shame (that) you're sick.可惜你在生病。
- It's a great shame you can't come.很可惜你不能来。