悔恨(かいこん)

かいこん
noun
remorse; deep regret
formalliteraryemotion
1. remorse; deep regret; bitter repentance
A strong feeling of regret over past actions, often implying lasting pain or suffering from the memory.
悔恨(かいこん)の念(ねん)に駆(か)られている。
I am overcome with remorse.
あの時(とき)の決断(けつだん)を悔恨(かいこん)している。
I deeply regret the decision I made at that time.
悔恨(かいこん)の涙(なみだ)を流(なが)した。
I shed tears of remorse.

Formal register

This is a literary/formal word. In everyday speech, 後悔(こうかい) (regret) is more common.

Common expressions

Related words

Related Words

Synonym: 後悔(こうかい) (more common)
Related: 自責(じせき) (self-reproach)
Related: 反省(はんせい) (reflection, self-examination)
Related: 懺悔(ざんげ) (confession, repentance)
general
Added 2026.1.18 9:57 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
06500/06592_kaikon