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.
あの時、本当のことを言わなかったことを後悔している。
I regret not telling the truth back then.
彼は自分の決断を後悔した。
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.
もっと勉強すればよかった。
I regret not studying more. (I should have studied more.)
彼女に電話すればよかった。
I regret not calling her. (I should have called her.)
Pattern for regretting something you did. Literally 'I shouldn't have done ~'. Use the negative conditional form of the verb + よかった.
あんなことを言わなければよかった。
I regret saying that. (I shouldn't have said that.)
あのケーキを全部食べなければよかった。
I regret eating all that cake. (I shouldn't have eaten all that cake.)
A verb meaning to regret or mourn something, often used for missed opportunities or loss. Slightly more emotional than 後悔する.
彼は自分の失敗を悔やんでいる。
He is regretting his mistake.
An adjective expressing frustration, chagrin, or vexation, often mixed with regret. It focuses more on the feeling of being upset about an outcome.
負けて悔しい。
I'm frustrated/regretful that I lost.
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'.
ご迷惑をおかけして、申し訳ありません。
I deeply regret any inconvenience caused.
A formal expression used in official statements or news to express regret. Often translated as 'deplore' or 'regret'.
政府はその決定を遺憾に思うと発表した。
The government announced that it regrets the decision.
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'.
あの時、彼に本当のことを言えばよかったのに。
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.
もっと早く来たらよかった。
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.
自分の行動を後悔している。
I regret my own actions.
雨で試合が中止になって残念だ。
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.
Regrettably, we cannot meet your expectations this time.