Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| bereuen | /bəˈʁɔʏ̯ən/ |
| bedauern | /bəˈdaʊ̯ɐn/ |
| leidtun | [ˈlaɪ̯ttuːn] (narrow) |
German uses different verbs depending on what is being regretted. You use bereuen when you regret a specific action or a decision that cannot be changed. You use bedauern to express regret about a situation or circumstance, or to express sympathy and sorrow. There is also leidtun, such as in the informal phrase Tut mir echt leid (I'm really sorry).
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the object of your regret. bereuen is used when one regrets a specific action or decision that one can no longer change. In contrast, bedauern is more formal and is used to express regret regarding a situation or to show sympathy. The noun Bedauern refers to the feeling of regret, while the noun Reue specifically describes deep remorse or repentance, often in a moral or religious context.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/bəˈʁɔʏ̯ən/
Did you know?
- The verb bedauern is historically linked to the word teuer, meaning 'expensive' or 'dear'. It originally comes from a root meaning to consider something grave or costly.
- In German, leidtun literally translates to 'doing sorrow'. Instead of saying 'I regret', you are effectively saying that the situation 'does sorrow' to you.
- German separates the act of regretting a mistake bereuen from the act of mourning a loss bedauern, whereas English often uses 'regret' for both.
Examples in context
- Das wird er bereuen.He's going to regret this.This sentence shows how to use bereuen to express future regret.Tatoeba #1791472 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1789315 by Spamster
- Er wird es bedauern.He will regret this.This sentence shows how to use bedauern to express regret.Tatoeba #1958739 by Tamy, translation #1935318 by Spamster
- Das wirst du bereuen.You're going to regret this.Tatoeba #1791514 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1789312 by Spamster
- Es tut mir leid, aber ich muss den Termin absagen.I'm sorry, but I have to cancel the appointment.
- Leider muss ich Ihnen mitteilen, dass Ihr Antrag abgelehnt wurde.Unfortunately, I have to inform you that your application has been rejected.
- Es macht mich traurig, von Ihrem Verlust zu hören.It makes me sad to hear about your loss.
- Es tut mir leid, dass ich zu spät gekommen bin.I'm sorry I came late.
- Sorry, ich habe deinen Geburtstag vergessen.Sorry, I forgot your birthday.
- Tut mir echt leid, dass ich dich verletzt habe.I'm really sorry that I hurt you.
- 100 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “regret” translations and entries bereuen, bedauern, leidtun, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bedauern, bereuen, leidtun, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
