पछतावा
pachtāvā/pət͡ʃʰ.t̪ɑː.ʋɑː/
To regret in Hindi is पछतावा (pachtāvā), which is the default form.
Meaning: feel sorry about some past thing (verb)
Which one should you use?
While पछतावा implies a sense of remorse for a specific action, अफ़सोस is a more general term for regret, sorrow or sadness and is often used to express sympathy or disappointment.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Hindi, the noun पछतावा is typically used with the verb होना (to be/to happen) to express the experience of feeling regret, forming the phrase पछतावा होना (to feel regret). To say 'I regret [something]', you use the structure '[Something] ka pachtāvā honā' (to have regret of something).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of पछतावा is pachtāvā. It has 3 syllables and the IPA is /pətʃʰ.t̪ɑː.ʋɑː/.
Did you know?
- The word पछतावा comes from the ancient Sanskrit word पश्चात्ताप, which literally translates to 'heat from behind'.
- The word अफ़सोस can function as a standalone exclamation, similar to how an English speaker might say 'Alas!' or 'What a pity!' This makes it a quick way to show sympathy for someone else's bad luck without needing a full sentence.
- The term अफ़सोस is not native to Hindi but is a loanword from Persian, illustrating how historical Persian influence shaped the vocabulary of emotion in North India.
Examples in context
- ऐसा कुछ ना करें जिससे बाद में आपको पछतावा हो ।Don't do anything you'll regret later.This sentence is useful for advising someone not to do something that leads to पछतावा.Tatoeba #8876391 by simranbansal, translation #3287266 by CK
- चोर को कोई पछतावा नहीं लगाThe thief showed no regretThis sentence shows how to describe a person who showed no पछतावा.
- मुझे उस घर को न खरीदने का पछतावा हो रहा है।I regret not having bought that house.This sentence demonstrates how to express the feeling of पछतावा regarding a specific decision.Tatoeba #480324 by minshirui, translation #68532 by CK
- आपकी परेशानी के लिए मुझे खेद है। यह एक गड़बड़ी थी।I am sorry for your inconvenience. It was a mistake.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a missed job opportunity.
- अंजलि Anjaliतुमने वह नौकरी क्यों नहीं ली?Tumne vah naukri kyon nahin lee?Why didn't you take that job?
- अमित Amitमुझे अब उस बात का पछतावा है।Mujhe ab us baat ka pachtava hai.I regret that now.
- अंजलि Anjaliअब सोचने से क्या फायदा?Ab sochne se kya fayda?What's the point of thinking about it now?
- अमित Amitहाँ, पर मुझे बहुत पछतावा हो रहा है।Haan, par mujhe bahut pachtava ho raha hai.Yes, but I am feeling a lot of regret.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry पछतावा, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries पछतावा, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
