Translation guide
The English word 'regret' covers both a feeling of sadness about something you did or didn't do, and a polite way to say you're sorry. In Japanese, different words and patterns are used depending on whether you're expressing personal remorse, apologizing formally, or talking about a missed opportunity.
Express personal remorse or sadness over something you did or didn't do.
The most direct equivalent for personal regret. Often used with する to mean 'to regret'. It can be used for both actions taken and actions not taken.
I regret not telling the truth back then.
He regretted his decision.
A common pattern to express regret about not doing something. Literally 'I should have done ~'. Use the conditional form of the verb + よかった.
I regret not studying more. (I should have studied more.)
Pattern for regretting something you did. Literally 'I shouldn't have done ~'. Use the negative conditional form of the verb + よかった.
I regret saying that. (I shouldn't have said that.)
A verb meaning to regret or mourn something, often used for missed opportunities or loss. Slightly more emotional than 後悔する.
An adjective expressing frustration, chagrin, or vexation, often mixed with regret. It focuses more on the feeling of being upset about an outcome.
Use in formal situations, business, or official statements to express regret for an inconvenience or mistake.
A very formal apology expressing deep regret. Commonly used in business and customer service. Literally 'I have no excuse'.
I deeply regret any inconvenience caused.
A formal expression used in official statements or news to express regret. Often translated as 'deplore' or 'regret'.
Means 'unfortunate' or 'regrettable'. Used to express disappointment or regret about a situation, often in polite contexts. Can be used in phrases like 残念ながら (unfortunately/regrettably).
Express a wistful feeling about something that didn't happen or a path not taken.
Used to say 'if only...' or 'I wish...' with a sense of regret. The のに at the end adds a feeling of 'but it didn't happen'.
If only I had told him the truth back then.
Similar to ～ばよかった, using the たら conditional. Slightly more colloquial.
I regret not coming earlier. (I wish I had come earlier.)
後悔 is personal regret over your own actions. 残念 is disappointment or regret about a situation, often beyond your control. Use 後悔 when you blame yourself, and 残念 when something unfortunate happens.
I regret my own actions.
It's regrettable that the game was canceled due to rain.
When apologizing in Japanese, 後悔 is not typically used. Instead, use 申し訳ありません or すみません. 後悔 expresses personal remorse, not a direct apology.
彼女に電話すればよかった。
I regret not calling her. (I should have called her.)
I regret eating all that cake. (I shouldn't have eaten all that cake.)
彼は自分の失敗を悔やんでいる。
He is regretting his mistake.
負けて悔しい。
I'm frustrated/regretful that I lost.
The government announced that it regrets the decision.
残念ながら、今回はご期待に添えません。
Regrettably, we cannot meet your expectations this time.