حسرت
حسرت in 30 Seconds
- Hasrat is the Persian word for deep longing and regret over missed opportunities or lost things.
- It is most commonly used with the verb 'khordan' (to eat), meaning to experience intense regret.
- It differs from 'pashimāni' (guilt-based remorse) by focusing on the 'what if' and the 'unfulfilled.'
- Culturally, it is a key theme in Persian poetry, music, and the Iranian concept of nostalgia.
The Persian word حسرت (pronounced 'hasrat') is a profound emotional term that encapsulates a blend of longing, regret, and the painful realization of a missed opportunity or a lost possession. Unlike simple sadness, hasrat implies a gaze turned backward toward what could have been. It is the 'if only' of the Persian language. In Iranian culture, which is deeply rooted in poetry and the appreciation of the transient nature of life, hasrat is a frequent guest in both high literature and daily conversation. It describes that specific ache in the heart when you see someone achieving something you once desired but failed to attain, or when you remember a loved one who is no longer present.
- Emotional Weight
- It represents a deep-seated yearning for the unattainable, often accompanied by a sigh (آه). It is more intense than 'pity' and more focused on the self's loss than 'envy'.
- Temporal Aspect
- This word is almost always retrospective. You feel hasrat for the past, for the youth you spent, or for the words you never spoke to a departing friend.
- Social Context
- In social settings, it can be used to describe the feeling of looking at someone else's success not with malice (which would be hasad), but with a wistful desire to have the same.
او همیشه با حسرت به روزهای جوانیاش فکر میکند.
To truly understand hasrat, one must look at how it interacts with the Persian verb خوردن (to eat). The phrase hasrat khordan literally means 'to eat regret.' This suggests that the emotion is something that consumes the individual from the inside out, a metaphor for how longing can gnaw at one's peace of mind. It is not just an external observation; it is an internal experience that occupies the body. When an Iranian says 'I ate hasrat,' they are describing a visceral experience of missing out. This word is also central to the concept of 'unfulfilled dreams' in Persian cinema and music, where the protagonist often lives a life defined by the hasrat of a lost love or a lost homeland.
نگذار حسرت این فرصت در دلت بماند.
In classical Persian poetry, hasrat is the bridge between the lover and the beloved. The lover is in a constant state of hasrat for the union that never quite happens. Modern usage has broadened this to include socioeconomic longings—the hasrat of a child looking at a toy they cannot afford, or the hasrat of a student wanting to study abroad. It is a word that carries the weight of human limitation. It acknowledges that we cannot have everything, and that the absence of things often defines our emotional landscape as much as their presence does. Using this word correctly requires an understanding of its bittersweet nature; it is not purely negative, as it often highlights the value of what was lost.
- Related Idiom
- 'Hasrat be del' (Longing in the heart) refers to someone who dies or leaves without achieving their greatest wish.
Using حسرت in a sentence requires an understanding of its common verbal pairings. The most frequent construction is hasrat khordan (to regret/long for), where the object of the longing is followed by the preposition را or preceded by ِ (ezāfe). For example, 'I regret my youth' becomes 'Hasrat-e javāni-am rā mikhoram.' It is a versatile noun that can function as a subject, an object, or part of an adverbial phrase describing how an action is performed.
او با حسرت به مدال طلا نگاه کرد.
In this example, hasrat describes the manner of looking. It tells us that the person didn't just look; they looked with a feeling of 'I wish that were mine.' Another common construction involves the verb گذاشتن (to put/leave). To 'leave someone in hasrat' (kasi rā dar hasrat gozāshtan) means to deny them something they deeply desire. This is often used in romantic or tragic contexts. For instance, 'Fate left him in hasrat of seeing his mother one last time.'
- Grammar Tip: Prepositions
- When using hasrat as a noun of feeling, it is often followed by the preposition 'bar' (upon) or 'barāye' (for) to indicate the target. 'Hasrat bar gozashte' (Regret over the past).
You will also encounter hasrat in compound adjectives. حسرتبار (hasrat-bār) means 'regretful' or 'full of longing,' used to describe a look, a letter, or a moment. 'Negāh-e hasrat-bār' (a regretful gaze) is a common literary trope. Furthermore, the word can be used transitively with کشیدن (to pull/suffer). Hasrat keshidan emphasizes the enduring nature of the feeling, suggesting a long period of suffering due to unfulfilled desire.
تمام عمرش در حسرت داشتن یک خانه کوچک سوخت.
Finally, consider the negative form. To say 'I have no regrets' in Persian, one might say 'Hich hasrati nadāram.' However, this usually refers to the longing for things not achieved. If you mean you don't regret a specific mistake, 'pashimān nistam' is more accurate. Understanding this distinction is key to sounding like a native speaker. Hasrat is about the 'void' left by what is missing, while pashimāni is about the 'weight' of what was done.
You will hear حسرت everywhere from the melancholy lyrics of Persian pop songs to the dramatic dialogues of Iranian soap operas. It is a cornerstone of the Iranian emotional vocabulary. In everyday life, a parent might use it when talking about their children's future: 'I don't want my child to have the hasrat of an education like I did.' It is also common in the marketplace; a shopper might look at an expensive item and jokingly say to a friend, 'Faghat hasratesh barāye mā mund' (Only the longing for it remained for us).
- In Music
- Listen to legendary singers like Hayedeh or Dariush. Their songs are filled with hasrat for the homeland (vatan) or for a lost era of Tehran.
- In Literature
- Modern novelists like Sadegh Hedayat use the word to describe the existential dread and longing of their characters.
صدای او پر از حسرت و اندوه بود.
In the context of sports, commentators often use hasrat when a team misses a goal or loses a championship in the final minutes. 'Hasrat-e in gol barāye tim-e mā bāghi mānd' (The regret of this goal remained for our team). This usage highlights the collective experience of the word. It’s not just an individual feeling; a whole nation can feel hasrat for a missed opportunity on the world stage. Similarly, in news reports about historical events or lost heritage, the word is used to evoke a sense of national loss.
حیف! حسرت دیدنش به دلم ماند.
Social media also plays a role in the modern usage of the word. People might comment 'Hasrat!' on a photo of a beautiful travel destination or a delicious meal, though this is sometimes used with a hint of playful envy. However, the core of the word remains serious. It is the linguistic manifestation of the 'unlived life.' When you hear someone say it with a deep breath, they are communicating a part of their history that remains incomplete.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing حسرت (hasrat) with حسد (hasad). While both involve looking at something someone else has, hasad is 'malicious envy'—the desire for the other person to lose what they have. Hasrat, on the other hand, is 'wistful longing'—the desire to have what they have, or the regret of not having it, without necessarily wishing them ill. Using hasad when you mean hasrat can make you sound bitter or mean-spirited.
- Mistake 1: Confusing with Remorse
- Saying 'hasrat mikhoram' for a bad deed you committed. Correct: Use 'pashimānam' (I am sorry/remorseful).
- Mistake 2: Incorrect Verb Pairing
- Using 'hasrat kardan' instead of 'hasrat khordan'. While 'kardan' is the general 'to do' verb, 'khordan' is the idiomatic standard for this emotion.
اشتباه: من حسرت میخورم که به او دروغ گفتم.
Another subtle mistake is the placement of the word in complex sentences. Since hasrat is a noun, it cannot be used directly as an adjective like 'regretful' without a suffix. You must say 'bā hasrat' (with regret) or use the adjective form 'hasrat-bār'. Beginners often try to say 'I am hasrat,' which is grammatically incorrect. You must either 'have' hasrat, 'eat' hasrat, or 'be in' hasrat.
درست: او با نگاهی پر از حسرت رفت.
Lastly, be careful with the intensity. Using hasrat for very trivial things (like missing a bus by 1 minute) might sound overly dramatic unless used sarcastically. For minor inconveniences, 'heif' (what a pity) or 'afsus' are more appropriate. Save hasrat for things that truly touch the heart or represent a significant missed path in life. Misusing the intensity can make your Persian sound 'bookish' or unnaturally tragic in casual settings.
Persian is a language rich in synonyms for emotional states, and حسرت has several close relatives. Understanding the nuances between them will elevate your fluency. The most common alternative is افسوس (afsus), which translates to 'pity' or 'alas.' While hasrat is a deep, internal longing, afsus is often an exclamation or a general feeling of sadness about a loss. You 'feel' hasrat, but you 'say' afsus.
- Hasrat vs. Afsus
- Hasrat is the personal ache; Afsus is the acknowledgment of a sad reality. 'Afsus keshidan' is similar to 'hasrat khordan' but feels slightly more formal.
- Hasrat vs. Daregh
- دریغ (daregh) is even more formal and poetic. It often implies a sense of 'what a waste.' It is frequently used in the phrase 'sad daregh' (a hundred pities).
دریغ و درد که تا این زمان ندانستم...
Another word often confused with hasrat is دلتنگی (deltangi). While deltangi is 'missing' someone or 'homesickness,' it doesn't necessarily include the element of regret or 'missed opportunity' that hasrat does. You feel deltangi for your mother because you love her; you feel hasrat for the time you didn't spend with her. One is about affection and absence, the other is about loss and regret. There is also آرزو (ārezu), meaning 'wish' or 'desire.' A wish is forward-looking and hopeful, while hasrat is backward-looking and often tinged with sadness.
او بین آرزو و حسرت گرفتار شده است.
In mystical Persian literature (Sufism), hasrat takes on a spiritual dimension. It is the soul's longing for its divine origin. In this context, words like اشتیاق (eshtiyāgh - passionate longing) or هجران (hejrān - separation) are used alongside hasrat. While hasrat focuses on the loss, eshtiyāgh focuses on the intensity of the desire to return. For a learner, mastering these distinctions is the difference between simply communicating and expressing the soul of the language.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'h' too harshly like the German 'ch'. It should be a soft 'h' as in 'house'.
- Pronouncing the 'a' like 'ah' in 'father'. In standard Tehrani Persian, it's closer to the 'a' in 'apple'.
- Missing the 't' at the end or making it too soft.
Examples by Level
من حسرت یک بستنی دارم.
I have a longing for an ice cream.
Simple noun + 'dāram' (I have).
او با حسرت به ماشین نگاه کرد.
He looked at the car with longing.
'bā' (with) + noun.
حسرت نخور، باز هم میخریم.
Don't regret it, we will buy it again.
Imperative negative of 'hasrat khordan'.
این کتاب حسرت من است.
This book is my longing (I really want it).
Possessive 'man' (my).
چرا حسرت میخوری؟
Why are you longing/regretting?
Question form.
حسرت روزهای گرم.
Longing for warm days.
Noun phrase with ezāfe.
او هیچ حسرتی ندارد.
He has no regrets/longings.
Negative 'nadārad'.
یک دنیا حسرت در چشمانش بود.
A world of longing was in his eyes.
Idiomatic 'yek donyā' (a world of).
حسرت میخورم که چرا درس نخواندم.
I regret why I didn't study.
Using 'ke' (that) to introduce a clause.
او همیشه حسرت گذشته را میخورد.
He always regrets the past.
Present continuous sense.
ما حسرت دیدن دریا را داریم.
We have the longing to see the sea.
Infinitive 'didān' (seeing).
حسرت این سفر در دلم ماند.
The longing for this trip stayed in my heart.
Common idiom 'dar del māndan'.
او با حسرت به دوستش گفت: خوشبهحالت!
He said to his friend with longing: Lucky you!
Adverbial use 'bā hasrat'.
نباید حسرت زندگی دیگران را خورد.
One shouldn't envy/long for others' lives.
Modal 'nabāyad' (shouldn't).
حسرت یک خواب راحت را دارم.
I have the longing for a comfortable sleep.
Noun + adjective + ezāfe.
او با حسرت از خانهاش رفت.
He left his house with regret.
Expressing manner of action.
بزرگترین حسرت زندگی شما چیست؟
What is the biggest regret of your life?
Superlative 'bozorgtarin'.
او تمام عمر حسرت آن شب را خورد.
He regretted that night his whole life.
'tamām-e omr' (whole life) as time duration.
نگذار حسرت کارهای نکرده پیرت کند.
Don't let the regret of undone things age you.
Subjunctive 'pirat konad'.
او با نگاهی حسرتبار به مدال خیره شد.
He stared at the medal with a regretful look.
Adjective 'hasrat-bār'.
حسرت دیدار دوبارهاش همیشه با من است.
The longing to see him again is always with me.
Abstract noun as subject.
آنها در حسرت یک ذره باران هستند.
They are longing for a single drop of rain.
'dar hasrat-e... hastand'.
او با حسرت از فرصتهایی که از دست داد حرف میزد.
He talked with regret about the opportunities he lost.
Relative clause 'ke az dast dād'.
این فیلم حسرت روزهای خوش تهران را زنده میکند.
This movie revives the longing for the happy days of Tehran.
Verb 'zende kardan' (to revive).
حسرتِ آنچه از دست رفته، دردی بیپایان است.
Regret for what is lost is an endless pain.
Formal ezāfe construction.
نویسنده در این کتاب، حسرتِ یک نسل را به تصویر میکشد.
In this book, the author portrays the longing of a generation.
Idiom 'be tasvir keshidan' (to portray).
او هیچگاه اجازه نداد حسرت بر زندگیاش سایه بیندازد.
He never let regret cast a shadow over his life.
Metaphor 'sāye andākhtan'.
حسرت خوردن برای گذشته، مانع پیشرفت در آینده است.
Regretting the past is an obstacle to progress in the future.
Gerund-like use of 'hasrat khordan'.
او با حسرتی عمیق به ویرانههای شهر نگریست.
He looked at the city ruins with a deep longing.
Adjective 'amigh' (deep).
بسیاری از مهاجران با حسرت از وطن خود یاد میکنند.
Many immigrants remember their homeland with longing.
'yād kardan' (to remember/mention).
این موسیقی، حسرتِ عشقهای نافرجام را تداعی میکند.
This music evokes the longing of unrequited loves.
Verb 'tadā-i kardan' (to evoke).
نباید اجازه دهیم حسرت، جایگزین امید شود.
We should not let regret replace hope.
Passive/Subjunctive 'jāygozin shavad'.
در ادبیات عرفانی، حسرت، تازیانهای برای بیداری روح است.
In mystical literature, longing is a whip for the soul's awakening.
Metaphorical/Academic register.
او در میان حسرتهای انباشتهشدهاش غرق شده بود.
He was drowned among his accumulated regrets.
Past participle 'anbāshte-shode' (accumulated).
حسرتِ وصال، مضمون اصلی بسیاری از غزلیات حافظ است.
The longing for union is the main theme of many of Hafez's sonnets.
Technical literary term 'mazmun'.
او با دریغ و حسرت، از زوالِ دورانِ شکوهِ باستان سخن گفت.
With pity and longing, he spoke of the decline of the era of ancient glory.
Pairing 'daregh o hasrat'.
گاه حسرت، نه برای نداشتهها، که برای بودههای از دست رفته است.
Sometimes longing is not for what one didn't have, but for what one had and lost.
Contrastive 'na barāye... ke barāye...'.
او با حسرتی جانسوز، نامِ معشوق را بر زبان آورد.
With a soul-burning longing, he uttered the beloved's name.
Compound adjective 'jān-suz'.
این سکوت، بیش از هر کلامی، بوی حسرت میدهد.
This silence, more than any word, smells of regret.
Idiom 'bu-ye ... dādan' (to smell of/suggest).
حسرت، چون غباری بر آیینهی دلش نشسته بود.
Regret, like dust, had settled on the mirror of his heart.
Simile 'chun' (like).
تراژدیِ انسانی در گروِ حسرتِ ناممکنهاست.
Human tragedy is tied to the longing for the impossible.
Philosophical 'dar gerov-e' (dependent on).
او در احتضار، تنها حسرتِ کلامی ناگفته را با خود برد.
On his deathbed, he only took with him the regret of an unspoken word.
Formal 'ehtezār' (deathbed).
حسرت، در این منظومه، نه یک انفعال، که یک کنشِ وجودی است.
In this poem, longing is not a passivity but an existential act.
Existentialist terminology.
او با ظرافتی شاعرانه، حسرت را به مثابهی زیباییشناسیِ فقدان تبیین کرد.
With poetic delicacy, he explained longing as the aesthetics of loss.
'be masābe-ye' (as/in the capacity of).
واکاویِ مفهومِ حسرت در تاریخِ اندیشهی ایرانی، امری ضروری است.
The analysis of the concept of longing in the history of Iranian thought is essential.
Academic 'vākāvi' (analysis).
او چنان در حسرتِ گذشته غوطه بود که حال را به کل فراموش کرد.
He was so immersed in the longing for the past that he entirely forgot the present.
Verb 'ghute-var' (immersed).
حسرتِ ازلیِ بشر برای بازگشت به بهشت، در اساطیر متجلی است.
Man's eternal longing to return to paradise is manifested in myths.
Adjective 'azali' (eternal/primordial).
او با حسرتی که بهت میآمیخت، به تغییراتِ شگرفِ جهان مینگریست.
With a longing that blended with awe, he looked at the world's wondrous changes.
Complex relative clause.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— My wish never came true; I died/left without achieving it.
حسرت دیدن نوهام به دلم ماند.
— We only get the longing (we can't have the thing).
این ماشین گران است، فقط حسرتش برای ماست.
— Longing for a single moment of peace.
در این شلوغی، حسرت یک لحظه آرامش را دارم.
— To remember something with a sense of loss.
او با حسرت از دوران مدرسه یاد میکند.
— To make someone long for something they can't have.
او حسرت دیدنش را به دل من گذاشت.
Idioms & Expressions
— To take the regret of something to one's grave.
او حسرت داشتن فرزند را به گور برد.
Informal/Strong— To bite the finger of regret (to be very regretful).
از این اشتباه، انگشت حسرت به دندان گزید.
Classical— Longing for just one look (romantic).
او در حسرت یک نگاه از سوی معشوق بود.
Poetic— Regretting what is gone like the wind (useless regret).
حسرت بر باد خورده سودی ندارد.
LiterarySummary
The word 'Hasrat' (حسرت) is essential for expressing the bittersweet ache of longing. For example, 'Hasrat-e didārat' means 'the longing to see you,' capturing a deep emotional void that simple words like 'sadness' cannot reach.
- Hasrat is the Persian word for deep longing and regret over missed opportunities or lost things.
- It is most commonly used with the verb 'khordan' (to eat), meaning to experience intense regret.
- It differs from 'pashimāni' (guilt-based remorse) by focusing on the 'what if' and the 'unfulfilled.'
- Culturally, it is a key theme in Persian poetry, music, and the Iranian concept of nostalgia.
Related Content
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
More emotions words
عاشق
A1Feeling or showing love; deeply in love.
عاشق بودن
A2To love, to be in love
عاشق شدن
A2To develop strong romantic feelings for someone.
عاشقانه
B1Lovingly, romantically; in a loving or romantic way.
عاطفه
A2Affection, emotion, sentiment.
اعتقاد
A2A strong belief or faith.
اعتماد
A2Trust, confidence, reliance.
اعتماد کردن
A2To trust; to rely on.
عجب
B1An exclamation of wonder, surprise, or amazement; how strange! amazing!
عجول
A1Impatient; having or showing a tendency to be quickly irritated or provoked.