Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Regret" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "regret", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
後悔
こうかい (kōkai)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
後悔する
こうかいする (kōkaisuru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "regret" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 後悔 and 後悔する.
In Japanese, 後悔 (こうかい (kōkai)) is typically associated with "regret; repentance" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to regretting or repenting past actions or choices. Can be used with する as a verb.
On the other hand, 後悔する (こうかいする (kōkaisuru)) maps to "to regret; to repent; to feel remorse" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to deeply regretting a past mistake, failed decision, or lost opportunity. Often used as 後悔はない or 激しく後悔する. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To regret! "I will never regret choosing to love you forever, Haruka-san!" ...っ! N-Never regretting loving me! B-Baka! That is the absolute minimum standard! But... since you declared it with such a passionate expression, I suppose... I will make sure you are the happiest husband in the world every single day! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『こうかい（後悔）するよ！『ハルカ部長、あの時あなたに勇気を出して告白していなかったら、一生這い上がれないほど後悔して（後悔していた）はずです！告白して本当に良かったです！』って…っ！告白の不後悔！バカ！/// そんなの、私が告白を待ってたんだから早く言いなさいよ！…でも、絶対に後悔させないくらい世界一甘やかしてあげるから、一生私の隣を離れないでね！』. A literal translation of "regret" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "後悔"
若い頃にもっと勉強しておけばよかったと、後悔しています。
I regret that I should have studied harder when I was young.
Bilingual Context for "後悔する"
彼はプロジェクトの初期段階でのリスク分析を怠った結果、リリース直前に深刻なシステム障害が発生したことを激しく_______ました。
As a result of neglecting the risk analysis at the initial stage of the project, he deeply regretted that a serious system failure occurred just before the release.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "若い頃にもっと勉強しておけばよかったと、 ＿＿＿ しています。" (Meaning: "I regret that I should have studied harder when I was young.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "後悔" fits here because it means "regret; repentance" in the context of: "I regret that I should have studied harder when I was young.". "後悔する" represents "to regret; to repent; to feel remorse".