悔 (huǐ) - regret, remorse, repent — to feel sorrow or

悔Tone 3

huǐ ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

悔 · huǐ

regret, remorse, repent — to feel sorrow or contrition for past actions or decisions.

regret, remorse, repent — to feel sorrow or

Usage highlights

regretrepentremorseregret medicineregret lateregret past

Synonyms

  • 憾— regret, disappointment
  • 懊— remorseful, regretful

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He deeply regrets his mistake (后悔他的错误).
  • I repent my past actions (悔过自新).
  • She expressed remorse for her words (悔恨她的话).
  • There's no use regretting after the fact (后悔莫及).

Collocations

  • regret(后悔)
  • repent(悔改)
  • remorse(悔恨)
  • regret medicine(悔药)
  • regret late(悔之晚矣)
  • regret past(悔过)

Idioms

  • Regret is too late(悔之晚矣)
  • Regret one's past and start anew(悔过自新)
  • Regret and realize one's mistake(悔悟)
  • Nine deaths without regret(九死无悔)
  • Regret it endlessly(追悔莫及)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian ethics, recognizing and regretting one's mistakes is seen as a virtue and necessary for moral improvement.
  • The concept appears frequently in Buddhist teachings about karma and the importance of repentance.
  • Traditional Chinese culture values the ability to acknowledge errors and reform as a sign of moral character.

FAQ