ho sento
In Catalan, "sorry" is expressed as ho sento.
The phrase ho sento is used as an interjection to express an expression of regret or sorrow. If you wish to describe the feeling of being grieved or saddened, you may use saber greu or sentirse mal. To describe something as poor or regrettable, the adjective llastimós is used.
Meaning: expression of regret or sorrow (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ho sento literally means "I feel it", where ho means "it" and sento means "I feel".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
ho sento is a first-person singular verb construction used to express personal regret.
Did you know?
- While ho sento expresses regret, if you accidentally bump into someone on the street, you are more likely to hear perdó, which functions as a request for forgiveness.
- The word ho in ho sento is a direct descendant of the Latin word hoc, which is also the root of the English word 'hoc' in phrases like 'ad hoc'.
- The adjective llastimós, used for regrettable things, shares a root with the word for 'injury' or 'wound', linking the idea of a pity to a physical hurt.
Examples in context
- Ho sento molt.I am very sorry.
- Ho sento per la notícia.I am sorry about the news.
- Ho sento, no era la meva intenció.I am sorry, it was not my intention.
Example conversation
Marc tells Júlia that he broke her favorite mug.
- JúliaMarc, has trencat la meva tassa!Marc, you broke my mug!
- MarcHo sento molt, Júlia. Ha estat un accident.I'm very sorry, Júlia. It was an accident.
- JúliaEstava molt contenta amb aquella tassa.I was very happy with that mug.
- MarcHo sento, t'en compraré una de nova.I'm sorry, I will buy you a new one.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
