悔恨 (huǐ hèn) — remorse, repentance

Definition

A strong, literary word for deep remorse over past actions — more intense than 后悔, which is everyday 'to regret.'

verb
remorserepentance

Examples

  • 悔恨。
    Tā huǐ hèn zì jǐ dāng chū de jué dìng.
    He regretted his decision at that time.
  • 悔恨。
    Tā huǐ hèn méi yǒu zhēn xī nà duàn shí guāng.
    She regretted not cherishing that period of time.
  • 悔恨。
    Wǒ huǐ hèn dāng chū méi yǒu tīng tā de huà.
    I regret not listening to his words back then.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

悔huǐregret
恨hènregret

悔 means to regret and 恨 here also means regret, so the two meanings combine to express remorse.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
忄Written in full as心xīn
Sound part声符shēngfú
每
每měi悔huǐ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

悔 pairs 忄, the heart part, with 每, which gives a sound hint.

Open 悔 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
忄Written in full as心xīnheart; thought; emotion
Sound part声符shēngfú
艮
艮gèn恨hèn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The left side 忄 is the heart, pointing to an emotion such as regret or hate. The right side 艮 supplies the sound.

Open 恨 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Emotions & Feelings

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