In 15 Sekunden
- Used to express genuine regret for a past action.
- Changes ending to 'arrependida' for women.
- Stronger and more personal than a basic 'sorry'.
Bedeutung
This is how you say 'I'm sorry' or 'I regret it' when you feel bad about something you did. It's used when you wish you could take an action back.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Regretting a purchase
Estou arrependido de ter comprado este celular caro.
I regret buying this expensive cell phone.
After an argument
Estou arrependida do que eu te disse ontem.
I regret what I told you yesterday.
Professional mistake
Estou arrependido de não ter revisado o relatório.
I regret not having reviewed the report.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Brazil, consumer protection laws include the 'Direito de Arrependimento', allowing customers to return online purchases within 7 days for any reason. Portuguese culture can be more reserved. Admitting 'Estou arrependido' in a professional setting is seen as a very serious and humble admission of a mistake. In Angolan Portuguese, social ties are strong. Regret is often expressed within the community to maintain harmony after a social faux pas. The 'arrependido' is a recurring character in Fado (Portugal) and Samba/Pagode (Brazil), usually a man begging for a second chance.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember the 'de'. It's the bridge between your feeling and the reason for it.
Gender Check
If you are a woman, always use 'arrependida'. Using the masculine form sounds like a grammar mistake.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used to express genuine regret for a past action.
- Changes ending to 'arrependida' for women.
- Stronger and more personal than a basic 'sorry'.
What It Means
Estou arrependido is your go-to phrase for expressing regret. It comes from the verb arrepender-se. It means you feel remorse for a choice. It is deeper than a simple desculpe (sorry). You are sharing your internal state of regret.
How To Use It
You use it with the verb estar because regret is a temporary feeling. If you are male, say arrependido. If you are female, say arrependida. To specify what you regret, add de. For example: Estou arrependido de ter comprado isso. It sounds natural and sincere.
When To Use It
Use it when you made a mistake. Use it when you bought something too expensive. Use it after an argument with a friend. It works well in texts when you realize you were wrong. It is perfect for those 'oops' moments that actually matter.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for small accidents. If you bump into someone, just say com licença. Don't use it for things you didn't do on purpose. It implies a conscious choice you now dislike. Avoid it if you are just being polite. It carries real emotional weight.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers value emotional honesty. Admitting regret is seen as a sign of maturity. There is a famous saying: Antes arrependido do que nunca ter tentado. This means it's better to regret doing something than never trying. We use it to navigate social friction. It helps mend relationships quickly.
Common Variations
You can add muito to show deep regret. Estou muito arrependida. If you want to sound more casual, use Me arrependi. In Portugal, they often say Estou arrependido de.... In Brazil, the reflexive Me arrependi is very common in speech. Both are understood everywhere.
Nutzungshinweise
The phrase is neutral and adapts to any situation. Just remember the gender agreement (o/a) and use the preposition 'de' to link it to the action you regret.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember the 'de'. It's the bridge between your feeling and the reason for it.
Gender Check
If you are a woman, always use 'arrependida'. Using the masculine form sounds like a grammar mistake.
Be Sincere
In Brazil, 'Estou arrependido' is a strong statement. Don't use it lightly if you don't mean it.
Beispiele
6Estou arrependido de ter comprado este celular caro.
I regret buying this expensive cell phone.
Commonly used for 'buyer's remorse'.
Estou arrependida do que eu te disse ontem.
I regret what I told you yesterday.
Shows emotional vulnerability and a desire to fix things.
Estou arrependido de não ter revisado o relatório.
I regret not having reviewed the report.
Admits a lapse in professional judgment.
Estou arrependido de ter comido aquela quinta fatia de pizza.
I regret eating that fifth slice of pizza.
Lighthearted use for overindulgence.
Putz, me arrependi de não ter ido na festa!
Damn, I regret not going to the party!
Uses the reflexive form common in casual Brazilian Portuguese.
Sinto-me profundamente arrependido pelo transtorno causado.
I feel deeply regretful for the inconvenience caused.
Uses 'sinto-me' for a more formal, literary tone.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'arrependido' and the preposition.
Maria disse: 'Eu estou _________ _________ ter saído cedo.'
Maria is feminine, so we use 'arrependida'. Since 'ter' is a verb, we use the simple preposition 'de'.
Which sentence is correct for expressing sympathy for a friend's loss?
Seu amigo perdeu o emprego. O que você diz?
'Estou arrependido' is only for your own mistakes. 'Sinto muito' is for sympathy.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: Você gostou do filme? B: Não, foi horrível. Estou _________ de ter pago o ingresso.
If the movie was 'horrível' (horrible), the speaker regrets paying for the ticket.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You told a secret you shouldn't have.
'Contado' means 'told', which fits the situation of revealing a secret.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use Arrependido vs Sinto Muito
Arrependido (My fault)
- • Wrong purchase
- • Said a mean thing
- • Missed a deadline
Sinto Muito (Sympathy)
- • Friend's loss
- • Bad weather
- • Someone is sick
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMaria disse: 'Eu estou _________ _________ ter saído cedo.'
Maria is feminine, so we use 'arrependida'. Since 'ter' is a verb, we use the simple preposition 'de'.
Seu amigo perdeu o emprego. O que você diz?
'Estou arrependido' is only for your own mistakes. 'Sinto muito' is for sympathy.
A: Você gostou do filme? B: Não, foi horrível. Estou _________ de ter pago o ingresso.
If the movie was 'horrível' (horrible), the speaker regrets paying for the ticket.
Situation: You told a secret you shouldn't have.
'Contado' means 'told', which fits the situation of revealing a secret.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, that sounds like you are repenting on their behalf. Use 'Sinto muito por você' instead.
No, it's perfectly fine for friends, especially if you use the short form 'Tô arrependido'.
'Remorso' is a heavier, more psychological term, often used for moral failings. 'Arrependido' is more common for daily life.
You say 'Não me arrependo de nada'. Note that we usually use the verb form here.
No, you can only regret things you or someone else did. You can't regret the rain.
It is always 'arrependido de'.
Yes: 'Estamos arrependidos' (masculine/mixed) or 'Estamos arrependidas' (feminine).
Yes, but 'Lamento' is often preferred for a more professional tone.
Brazilians might say 'Mandei mal' (I did badly) to imply they regret an action.
It's a legal term in Brazil where someone stops a crime they started and prevents the result.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Sinto muito
similarI'm sorry / I feel much
Peço desculpas
synonymI ask for apologies
Lamentar
similarTo lament / regret
Morder a língua
figurativeTo bite one's tongue
Dar um passo atrás
builds onTo take a step back
