Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 後悔する | kōkai suru | |
| 悔いる | kuiru | [kɯ̟iɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 残念に思う | zannen ni omou |
The Japanese language uses different terms for regret depending on whether you are reflecting on your own actions or expressing disappointment about a situation. 後悔する is used specifically for regretting one's own past decisions or actions. In contrast, 残念に思う is used when expressing disappointment or feeling sorry about a situation or outcome, rather than a personal mistake.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun 後悔, which refers to an instance of regret or remorse, is composed of the characters 後 (after) and 悔 (regret/remorse).
Which one should you use?
後悔する focuses on regretting your own past decisions or actions, whereas 残念に思う is used to express disappointment or feeling sorry about a situation or outcome.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a literary or more formal way to express regret or repentance, you can use 悔いる. While 後悔する is the standard term for personal regret, if you need to express apologies or remorse in a formal setting, you might use 申（もう）し訳（わけ）ありません (Mōshiwake arimasen) to say 'I apologize' or 誠（まこと）に遺憾（いかん）でございます (Makoto ni ikan de gozaimasu) to say 'I deeply regret' or 'I find it most regrettable'. In informal settings, the casual phrase ごめん (Gomen) is used to say 'Sorry'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, the colloquial expression 残念（ざんねん）やないか (Zannen ya nai ka) is used to express regret, meaning 'That's too bad' or 'What a shame'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous state of currently feeling regret, you can use the form 後悔している.
How do you pronounce it?
kōkai suru
Did you know?
- Using 後悔する to describe another person's feelings can sometimes sound overly critical or judgmental in Japanese, unlike the English 'he regrets'.
- The word 残念 (zannen) uses the character for 'leftover' or 'remaining', implying that a feeling of regret is something that 'remains' unfulfilled.
- The verb 悔いる is so closely associated with deep repentance that it is frequently used in Buddhist contexts to describe the purging of past sins.
Examples in context
- 後悔するよ。You'll regret it.This sentence demonstrates a warning about future regret.Tatoeba #12254378 by bunbuku, translation #2255390 by CK
- いつか後悔するだろう。You'll regret it someday.This sentence describes a future possibility of regret.Tatoeba #12817115 by small_snow, translation #2722012 by Hybrid
- トムは後悔するだろうな。Tom will regret it.This sentence uses the verb to describe what Tom will do.Tatoeba #11557984 by small_snow, translation #6440503 by CK
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are talking about a missed job opportunity.
- 美咲 Misakiあの仕事を受けなかったことを後悔する？Ano shigoto o ukenakatta koto o koukai suru?Do you regret not taking that job?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、今では少し後悔しているよ。Un, ima de wa sukoshi koukai shite iru yo.Yes, I regret it a little bit now.
- 美咲 Misakiでも、前向きに考えようよ。Demo, maemuki ni kangaeyou yo.But let's try to think positively.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね。もう後悔しても遅いしね。Sou da ne. Mou koukai shite mo osoi shi ne.You're right. It's too late to regret it now anyway.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “regret” translations and entries 悔いる, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
