后悔
hòuhuǐ
In Mandarin, 'regrets' is expressed as 后悔 (hòuhuǐ).
The word 后悔 is primarily used as a verb meaning 'to regret' or 'to feel remorse' regarding a past action.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between 后悔 and 遗憾. While 后悔 implies a sense of personal remorse for a mistake one made, 遗憾 is used for a more general sense of regret or feeling sorry about a situation that cannot be changed, often without personal blame.
How do you pronounce it?
hòuhuǐ
Did you know?
- In some regional dialects, people might use the phrase 后悔药 referring to a 'regret medicine' that allows one to undo a mistake, though no such medicine exists.
- In Chinese culture, expressing 后悔 in a professional setting can be seen as a sign of weakness or instability, whereas 遗憾 is often used in formal apologies to maintain face.
- The word 后悔 literally breaks down into 'after' and 'return/back', suggesting a mental state of 'returning to the past'.
Examples in context
- 他对他所做的一切感到后悔。He regrets what he did.This sentence is useful for expressing regret about one's actions with 后悔.Tatoeba #8589246 by easononizuka, translation #572913 by CK
- 马可后悔做了错事。Marc regrets his mistake.This sentence is useful for expressing regret about a mistake with 后悔.Tatoeba #1944798 by bigfatpanda, translation #1879222 by Khelm
- 他后悔浪费了他的时间。He regrets having wasted his time.This sentence is useful for expressing regret about wasting time with 后悔.Tatoeba #683677 by sysko, translation #298373 by CK
- 很抱歉，我迟到了。I'm sorry, I'm late.
- 对不起，我撞了你的车。I'm sorry, I hit your car.
- 我真的很后悔没有早点帮助你。I really regret not helping you earlier.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Xiaowen are talking about a missed opportunity to travel.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我后悔没去那个旅行。Wǒ hòuhuǐ méi qù nàge lǚxíng.I regret not going on that trip.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen现在后悔也太晚了。Xiànzài hòuhuǐ yě tài wǎn le.It's too late to regret it now.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我知道，但我还是觉得可惜。Wǒ zhīdào, dàn wǒ háishì juéde kěxī.I know, but I still feel it's a pity.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen别后悔了，下次再去吧。Bié hòuhuǐ le, xiàcì zài qù ba.Stop regretting it, just go next time.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
