regrets
The French word for regrets is regrets.
regrets refers to feelings of sadness or disappointment regarding past actions or events. When expressing this feeling, French uses the verb avoir (to have) to say one "has regrets" rather than using the verb "to be" to say one is "regretful". Additionally, you may hear the colloquial exclamation Zut ! to express mild frustration or a sense of "darn!" which conveys a similar feeling of mild regret.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word can be used in both singular and plural forms. The singular form is regret and the plural form is regrets.
Did you know?
- In formal French correspondence, the phrase regrets is often used as a polite way to decline an invitation, such as saying présenter ses regrets, which means to send one's apologies.
- While regrets describes the feeling, the French have a specific term remords for the guilt associated with a wrong action, creating a sharper distinction between sadness and guilt than English often makes.
- When a French person says je n'ai aucun regret, it can carry a much stronger, more defiant tone than the English 'I have no regrets', often implying a proud refusal to apologize for one's choices.
Examples in context
- Yanni a des regrets.Yanni has regrets.This sentence shows how to use the form regrets to say someone has regrets.Tatoeba #12480478 by always, translation #10124237 by Amastan
- Je n'ai pas de regrets.I have no regrets.This sentence shows how to use the form regrets to say one has no regrets.Tatoeba #1794082 by sacredceltic, translation #1793767 by Spamster
- Tom n'a pas de regrets.Tom has no regrets.Tatoeba #4274967 by mariezou, translation #1177538 by CK
- J'ai oublié d'acheter les billets pour le concert. Zut !I forgot to buy the tickets for the concert. Darn!
- Je tiens à exprimer mes regrets pour le retard dans la livraison.I want to express my regrets for the delay in delivery.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are talking about their old jobs.
- ManonAs-tu des regrets concernant ton ancien travail ?Do you have any regrets concerning your old job?
- GabrielNon, je n'ai aucun regrets aujourd'hui.No, I have no regrets today.
- ManonMoi, j'ai quelques regrets sur mes choix.Me, I have some regrets about my choices.
- GabrielC'est normal, Manon, on apprend avec le temps.That's normal, Manon, we learn with time.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
