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How to say "Regret" in Japanese

Both words can translate to "regret", but which should you choose?

Japanese Option A

後悔する

こうかいする (kōkaisuru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B

悔いる

くいる (kuiru)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus

Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference

When translating "regret" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 後悔する and 悔いる. In Japanese, 後悔する (こうかいする (kōkaisuru)) is typically associated with "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!』. On the other hand, 悔いる (くいる (kuiru)) maps to "to regret, to repent" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "regret" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
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.
Bilingual Context for "悔いる"
毎日、日本語を練習するために悔いる。
Every day, I regret, to repent to practice Japanese.

Nuance Mastery Quiz

Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?

Fill in the blank: "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。" (Meaning: "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.")
🎉 Correct Answer!

Remember: "後悔する" fits here because it means "to regret; to repent; to feel remorse" in the context of: "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.". "悔いる" represents "to regret, to repent".