B1
verb
#5,500 am häufigsten
15 Min. Lesezeit
400+w
内疚 in 30 Sekunden
- Feeling guilty or regretful for wrongdoing.
- An uncomfortable emotion arising from moral transgression.
- Often leads to apologies or desire for amends.
- Can be expressed as '感到内疚' (gǎndào nèijiù).
- Core Meaning
- The Chinese word '内疚' (nèijiù) directly translates to feeling guilty. It describes the uncomfortable emotional state one experiences when they believe they have done something wrong, have caused harm or distress to others, or have failed to meet their own moral standards or obligations. This feeling often involves a sense of regret and a desire to make amends, even if it's just internally.
- Emotional Nuance
- '内疚' is a deeply personal emotion. It's not just about being caught or facing external consequences; it's about an internal moral compass pointing out a transgression. This can range from minor oversights, like forgetting a friend's birthday, to more significant actions, such as betraying trust or causing a serious accident. The intensity of the '内疚' often correlates with the perceived severity of the offense and the individual's personal values.
- When to Use It
- You would use '内疚' when you want to express that you feel bad about something you did or failed to do. For example, if you accidentally broke a valuable item belonging to someone else, you would feel '内疚'. Similarly, if you promised to help a friend move but then backed out at the last minute without a very good reason, you might experience '内疚'. It's also used when someone confesses to a wrongdoing and expresses their remorse. It's a common feeling in situations involving personal responsibility, social obligations, and ethical dilemmas. The word is prevalent in everyday conversations, literature, and media when discussing characters' inner struggles and moral development. It's a fundamental human emotion that transcends cultural boundaries, and '内疚' is its direct Chinese equivalent.
- Beyond Simple Regret
- While '内疚' involves regret, it goes deeper than just wishing something hadn't happened. It implies a recognition of personal fault and a potential burden of responsibility. This can lead to behaviors like apologizing, trying to compensate for the harm caused, or vowing to change one's behavior in the future. It's the feeling that gnaws at you because you know you should have acted differently. It's often associated with a desire for forgiveness, both from others and from oneself. The public acknowledgment of wrongdoing and the subsequent feeling of '内疚' can be a catalyst for personal growth and a stronger commitment to ethical conduct. In essence, '内疚' is the internal alarm bell that rings when our actions fall short of our conscience.
我因为说谎而感到深深的内疚。
- Expressing Personal Guilt
- The most direct use of '内疚' is to state that you feel guilty. This is often done using verbs like '感到' (gǎndào - to feel) or simply stating the feeling. For instance, '我感到很内疚' (wǒ gǎndào hěn nèijiù) means 'I feel very guilty.' This is a straightforward way to express remorse for an action. It's important to follow up such a statement with an explanation of what caused the guilt to provide context. For example, '我因为迟到而感到内疚' (wǒ yīnwèi chídào ér gǎndào nèijiù) - 'I feel guilty because I was late.' The phrase '因为...而感到内疚' (yīnwèi... ér gǎndào nèijiù) is a very common and useful construction for expressing guilt related to a specific reason.
- Describing Others' Guilt
- You can also use '内疚' to describe the guilt experienced by someone else. This might be observed through their behavior or stated by them. For example, '他看起来很内疚' (tā kàn qǐlái hěn nèijiù) - 'He looks very guilty.' Or, '她承认她对这件事感到内疚' (tā chéngrèn tā duì zhè jiàn shì gǎndào nèijiù) - 'She admitted she felt guilty about this matter.' In these cases, '内疚' functions as a descriptor of an emotional state. It's also possible to say someone '有内疚感' (yǒu nèijiù gǎn), which means 'has a sense of guilt'. This phrasing emphasizes the presence of the feeling as a distinct entity.
- As a Noun-like Concept
- Although '内疚' is primarily a verb, it can sometimes function in a way that suggests the state or burden of guilt. For example, '他无法摆脱内疚' (tā wúfǎ bǎituō nèijiù) - 'He cannot get rid of the guilt.' Here, '内疚' is the object of the verb '摆脱' (bǎituō - to get rid of), treating it as something that can be held onto or escaped. Similarly, '内疚折磨着他' (nèijiù zhémó zhe tā) - 'Guilt is tormenting him.' In this sentence, '内疚' is the subject, acting as the tormentor. This usage highlights the persistent and oppressive nature that guilt can sometimes take.
- In Expressions of Apology and Confession
- '内疚' is frequently used in contexts where someone is confessing a wrongdoing or apologizing. It's often part of the explanation for why they are confessing or apologizing. For instance, a character in a story might say, '我必须告诉你真相，因为我一直感到内疚' (wǒ bìxū gàosù nǐ zhēnxiàng, yīnwèi wǒ yīzhí gǎndào nèijiù) - 'I must tell you the truth because I have been feeling guilty all along.' This adds a layer of sincerity and emotional weight to the confession. It can also be used to describe the motivation behind an apology: '他为自己的错误感到内疚，所以向你道歉' (tā wèi zìjǐ de cuòwù gǎndào nèijiù, suǒyǐ xiàng nǐ dàoqiàn) - 'He felt guilty about his mistake, so he apologized to you.' Understanding these varied usages allows for a more nuanced and accurate application of the word in different communicative situations.
我为没有及时帮助他而感到内疚。
- Everyday Conversations
- '内疚' is a common word that surfaces in everyday conversations, especially when people are discussing personal mistakes, regrets, or ethical dilemmas. You might hear friends talking about a time they let someone down, a parent expressing guilt over not spending enough time with their child, or someone admitting they feel bad about a white lie they told. For example, someone might say, '我昨天把你的书弄丢了，真的感到很内疚。' (wǒ zuótiān bǎ nǐ de shū nòng diūle, zhēnde gǎndào hěn nèijiù.) - 'I lost your book yesterday, and I feel really guilty about it.' This demonstrates its use in direct apologies and admissions of fault. It’s a natural part of human interaction when discussing actions that have had negative consequences.
- Literature and Storytelling
- In Chinese literature, films, and television dramas, '内疚' is a crucial word for developing characters and plotlines. Authors and scriptwriters use it to portray internal conflict, moral struggles, and the psychological impact of past actions. A character might be haunted by guilt over a past crime, or a story might explore how a community deals with collective guilt. For instance, a novel might describe a protagonist who is unable to sleep because of the '内疚' they feel after betraying a friend's trust. This emotional state often drives the narrative, forcing characters to confront their actions and seek redemption or face the consequences of their guilt. The exploration of '内疚' adds depth and realism to fictional narratives.
- Psychological and Self-Help Contexts
- In discussions about mental health, personal development, and psychology, '内疚' is frequently mentioned. Therapists might help patients explore the roots of their guilt, and self-help books often provide strategies for managing or overcoming feelings of guilt. For example, an article on overcoming anxiety might discuss how excessive '内疚' can contribute to stress and how recognizing its source is the first step towards healing. It's used in contexts that delve into the human psyche, the nature of conscience, and the process of emotional well-being. The word is central to understanding how individuals process their moral compass and its influence on their mental state.
- Legal and Ethical Discussions
- While less common in casual chat, '内疚' can appear in more formal discussions related to law, ethics, and morality. It might be used to describe a defendant's state of mind, the moral implications of a decision, or the societal impact of certain actions. For instance, a legal analyst might comment on whether a perpetrator showed signs of '内疚' as an indicator of remorse. In ethical debates, it can be used to discuss the responsibility individuals feel when their actions have unintended negative consequences. It touches upon the core of what it means to be morally accountable for one's choices and their ripple effects on others.
- News and Current Events
- In news reports, especially those involving scandals, accidents, or public apologies, '内疚' can be a relevant term. Politicians issuing apologies for missteps, CEOs addressing corporate blunders, or individuals confessing to crimes might express '内疚'. For example, a news headline might read: '涉事官员表示对事件造成的困扰感到内疚' (shè shì guānyuán biǎoshì duì shìjiàn zàochéng de kùnrǎo gǎndào nèijiù) - 'The official involved expressed guilt over the trouble caused by the incident.' This shows its application in public discourse concerning accountability and public perception.
电影里那个角色因为过去的错误而一直感到内疚。
- Confusing with Shame (羞愧 xiūkuì)
- A common mistake is to use '内疚' interchangeably with '羞愧' (xiūkuì), which means shame. While both relate to negative feelings about oneself or one's actions, '内疚' is primarily about feeling responsible or regretful for a specific wrongdoing, often with a desire to make amends. '羞愧', on the other hand, is more about feeling disgrace or humiliation, often in a public context, and implies a feeling of being fundamentally flawed or unworthy. For example, if you accidentally spill coffee on someone's important document, you'd feel '内疚'. If you were caught cheating on an exam and everyone found out, you might feel '羞愧'. Using '内疚' when '羞愧' is more appropriate, or vice versa, can lead to miscommunication about the intensity and nature of the negative emotion.
- Overusing '内疚' for Minor Incidents
- While '内疚' can apply to minor transgressions, overusing it for very trivial matters can sound overly dramatic or insincere. For instance, saying '我因为没及时回复你的短信而感到内疚' (wǒ yīnwèi méi jíshí huífù nǐ de duǎnxìn ér gǎndào nèijiù) - 'I feel guilty for not replying to your text message promptly' - might be acceptable between close friends, but in a more formal context, it could seem disproportionate. For very minor oversights, simpler expressions of regret like '抱歉' (bàoqiàn - sorry) or '不好意思' (bù hǎoyìsi - excuse me/sorry) might be more suitable. The intensity of '内疚' suggests a more significant moral or personal failing.
- Incorrect Sentence Structure
- Learners sometimes struggle with constructing sentences correctly using '内疚'. A common error is omitting the connecting phrase '而' (ér) when using '因为...感到内疚'. For example, saying '我因为迟到感到内疚' (wǒ yīnwèi chídào gǎndào nèijiù) is understandable but less natural than '我因为迟到而感到内疚' (wǒ yīnwèi chídào ér gǎndào nèijiù). The '而' helps to smoothly link the cause (being late) to the effect (feeling guilty). Another mistake might be incorrectly placing '内疚' as a standalone adjective without a verb like '感到' or '觉得' (juéde - to feel/think), leading to ungrammatical sentences.
- Using it as a Direct Verb without '感到'
- While '内疚' is often translated as 'to feel guilty', it's not typically used as a transitive verb in the same way English uses 'to guilt someone'. You wouldn't say '我内疚了他' (wǒ nèijiùle tā) to mean 'I made him feel guilty'. Instead, you would use phrases like '我让他感到内疚' (wǒ ràng tā gǎndào nèijiù) - 'I made him feel guilty.' Similarly, while '内疚' can be the subject of a sentence (e.g., '内疚折磨着他'), it's more commonly used with '感到' or '觉得' to express the feeling of guilt. Treating it as a verb that directly takes an object can lead to unidiomatic expressions.
- Ignoring Cultural Nuances of Guilt
- While the core meaning of '内疚' is universal, the cultural context in which guilt is expressed and resolved can differ. In some Chinese cultural contexts, there might be a greater emphasis on maintaining social harmony, and guilt might be expressed more indirectly or through actions rather than explicit verbal confessions. Over-interpreting or under-interpreting the expression of '内疚' based on one's own cultural background can lead to misunderstandings. It's important to remember that while the word is direct, the social dynamics surrounding its expression can be complex.
他因为说谎而感到内疚，而不是羞愧。
- 内疚 (nèijiù) vs. 愧疚 (kuìjiù)
- '愧疚' (kuìjiù) is a very close synonym to '内疚' and is often used interchangeably. Both refer to feelings of guilt and remorse. However, '愧疚' can sometimes imply a deeper, more profound sense of regret, perhaps stemming from a more significant moral failing or a long-held burden. It often carries a slightly more formal or literary tone than '内疚'.
Example Comparison:
* '我为我的错误感到内疚。' (Wǒ wèi wǒ de cuòwù gǎndào nèijiù.) - 'I feel guilty for my mistake.' (Common, everyday)
* '他因过去的所作所为而深感愧疚。' (Tā yīn guòqù de suǒ zuò suǒwéi ér shēn gǎn kuìjiù.) - 'He feels deeply remorseful for his past actions.' (Slightly more formal, deeper regret) - 内疚 (nèijiù) vs. 自责 (zìzé)
- '自责' (zìzé) means self-blame or self-reproach. It focuses specifically on the act of blaming oneself for something. While feeling '内疚' often involves '自责', '自责' is more about the cognitive process of holding oneself accountable and criticizing oneself. '内疚' is the resulting emotional state. You might '自责' for being late, and as a result, you feel '内疚'.
Example Comparison:
* '我自责没有提前做好准备。' (Wǒ zìzé méiyǒu tíqián zuò hǎo zhǔnbèi.) - 'I blame myself for not preparing in advance.' (Focus on self-criticism)
* '因为没有提前做好准备，我感到内疚。' (Yīnwèi méiyǒu tíqián zuò hǎo zhǔnbèi, wǒ gǎndào nèijiù.) - 'Because I didn't prepare in advance, I feel guilty.' (Focus on the emotional consequence) - 内疚 (nèijiù) vs. 遗憾 (yíhàn)
- '遗憾' (yíhàn) means regret, often about missed opportunities, lost chances, or things that could have been better but weren't necessarily due to wrongdoing. It's a more general feeling of sadness or disappointment about circumstances that are not ideal. '内疚' specifically arises from a sense of personal fault or moral transgression.
Example Comparison:
* '我对他没有说出真相感到内疚。' (Wǒ duì tā méiyǒu shuō chū zhēxiàng gǎndào nèijiù.) - 'I feel guilty for not telling him the truth.' (Personal fault)
* '我遗憾没有早点认识你。' (Wǒ yíhàn méiyǒu zǎodiǎn rènshi nǐ.) - 'I regret not meeting you sooner.' (Missed opportunity, not necessarily fault) - 内疚 (nèijiù) vs. 抱歉 (bàoqiàn)
- '抱歉' (bàoqiàn) is the most common word for 'sorry' or 'apology'. It's used for a wide range of situations, from minor inconveniences to more serious offenses. While expressing '内疚' often involves saying '抱歉', '抱歉' itself doesn't necessarily imply the deep emotional weight of guilt. You can say '抱歉' for being slightly late, but you would feel '内疚' for causing significant harm. '抱歉' is the outward expression of regret, while '内疚' is the internal feeling.
Example Comparison:
* '对不起，我迟到了。' (Duìbùqǐ, wǒ chídàole.) - 'Sorry, I'm late.' (Simple apology)
* '我为我的迟到感到内疚，因为它耽误了会议。' (Wǒ wèi wǒ de chídào gǎndào nèijiù, yīnwèi tā dānwùle huìyì.) - 'I feel guilty for my lateness because it delayed the meeting.' (Expressing the deeper feeling of guilt) - 内疚 (nèijiù) vs. 负责 (fùzé)
- '负责' (fùzé) means to be responsible for, to take charge of, or to be accountable for. While feeling '内疚' often stems from a sense of responsibility, '负责' is about taking on the duty or obligation itself. You might feel '内疚' because you didn't '负责' properly. '负责' is about action and duty, whereas '内疚' is about the emotional consequence of failing in that duty.
Example Comparison:
* '你是这件事的负责人。' (Nǐ shì zhè jiàn shì de fùzérén.) - 'You are the person in charge of this matter.' (Taking responsibility)
* '我内疚没有对我的团队负起应有的责任。' (Wǒ nèijiù méiyǒu duì wǒ de tuánduì fù qǐ yīng yǒu de zérèn.) - 'I feel guilty for not taking proper responsibility for my team.' (Emotional consequence of not taking responsibility)
我感到内疚，但他也自责了。
How Formal Is It?
Wusstest du?
The character '疚' is part of the character '病' (bìng - illness) in its older forms, emphasizing its connection to affliction. The character '九' (jiǔ - nine) in '疚' might relate to the idea of something numerous or persistent, like persistent discomfort or many troubles.
Aussprachehilfe
UK
/nèiː.t͡ɕi̯ʊ̌/
US
/nèiː.t͡ɕi̯ʊ̌/
The primary stress is on the first syllable 'nèi'.
Reimt sich auf
jiu
xiu
qiu
liu
niu
xiu
you
zhu
Häufige Fehler
- Pronouncing 'jiu' as a simple 'ju' sound without the initial 'y' glide.
- Incorrectly stressing the second syllable.
- Not aspirating the 'n' sound properly.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Lesen
3/5
CEFR B1 level. The word itself is straightforward, but understanding its nuances and usage in complex sentences requires intermediate comprehension skills. Recognizing its connection to moral and psychological concepts adds depth.
Schreiben
3/5
Sprechen
3/5
Hören
3/5
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
对不起 (duìbuqǐ) - sorry
错误 (cuòwù) - mistake, error
后悔 (hòuhuǐ) - to regret
责任 (zérèn) - responsibility
知道 (zhīdào) - to know
Als Nächstes lernen
愧疚 (kuìjiù) - deep remorse
自责 (zìzé) - self-blame
羞愧 (xiūkuì) - shame, disgrace
忏悔 (chànhuǐ) - repentance
弥补 (míbǔ) - to make up for, atone
Fortgeschritten
道德困境 (dàodé kùnjìng) - moral dilemma
良心 (liángxīn) - conscience
心理创伤 (xīnlǐ chuāngshāng) - psychological trauma
社会规范 (shèhuì guīfàn) - social norms
道德约束 (dàodé yuēshù) - moral restraint
Wichtige Grammatik
Using '因为...而...' structure to express cause and effect.
我因为考试没考好而感到内疚。
Using '为...感到...' structure to express emotion towards something.
他为自己说的话感到内疚。
Using adverbs to modify the intensity of '内疚'.
我感到深深的内疚。
Using '内疚感' as a noun.
他无法摆脱内疚感。
Using '让' to indicate causation of guilt.
这件事让我感到内疚。
