悔くやしい

く

や

し

い

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

i-adjective

frustrated; annoyed; disappointed; regrettable

Describes a feeling of vexation, chagrin, or bitter disappointment, often over one's own failure, humiliation, or an unfair situation. Can also describe a situation that is frustrating or regrettable.

試し合あいに負まけて悔くやしい。
I'm frustrated that I lost the match.
あんな言い

い

方かた

を

さ

れ

て

、

本ほん

当とう

に

悔くや

しかっ

た

。

I was really annoyed by the way he said that.

せっかくの努ど力りょくが無む駄だになって悔くやしい。

It's so disappointing that all my effort went to waste.

Written forms

悔くやしいUsage70%
Standard kanji spelling; high priority.
くやしいUsage19%
Kana spelling is common in informal writing and when the kanji is not needed.
口惜くやしいUsage12%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
くやしーいUsage<1%
search-only kana form

Kanji

悔repent, regret
口mouth
惜pity, be sparing of, frugal

Similar words

残ざん念ねん
残念 is a more general 'unfortunate' or 'too bad' feeling, often about external circumstances, while 悔しい is a stronger, more personal feeling of frustration or chagrin, often involving regret over one's own actions or a sense of injustice.
腹はら立だたしい
腹立たしい is closer to 'irritating' or 'maddening', focusing on anger at someone or something, while 悔しい includes a component of personal disappointment or vexation, not just anger.

Etymology

Derived from the verb 悔いる (くいる, 'to regret') with the adjective-forming suffix しい, expressing a state of regret or vexation. The kanji 悔 carries the meaning of 'repent' or 'regret'.