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अफ़सोस

A2 noun #3,500 most common 8 min read

अफ़सोस

afsos Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips अफ़सोस in 30 Seconds

Explanation अफ़सोस in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'अफ़सोस' (Afsoos) as a way to say 'sorry' for things that are not necessarily your fault, or to show pity. The most important phrase is 'मुझे अफ़सोस है' (Mujhe afsoos hai), which means 'I am sorry' or 'I regret'. Think of it as a way to be polite when someone tells you something bad happened. It is a masculine noun, so we use 'हुआ' (happened) or 'है' (is) with it. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just use it to show you are a kind and empathetic listener.

At the A2 level, you start using 'अफ़सोस' in slightly longer sentences. You will learn to use 'कि' (that) to explain why you are sorry. For example: 'मुझे अफ़सोस है कि आप बीमार हैं' (I am sorry that you are sick). You should also recognize the phrase 'बड़े अफ़सोस की बात है' (It's a matter of great regret/pity). At this level, you should distinguish between 'माफ़ कीजिए' (for an apology) and 'अफ़सोस' (for sympathy). You are beginning to understand that emotions in Hindi often use the 'Subject + ko' structure.

At the B1 level, you can use 'अफ़सोस' to talk about past regrets and missed opportunities. You might use the conditional tense: 'अगर मैं वहां होता, तो मुझे अफ़सोस नहीं होता' (If I were there, I wouldn't have regretted it). You start to see the word used in newspapers or news broadcasts. You also learn the verb form 'अफ़सोस करना' (to regret/to express regret) and how it differs from the noun-based 'अफ़सोस होना'. You are becoming comfortable with the nuance of expressing sympathy in social situations.

At the B2 level, you understand the register differences. You know that 'अफ़सोस' is common and warm, while 'खेद' is formal. You can use 'अफ़सोस' in professional emails to politely decline an offer. You also begin to understand its use in Hindi literature and films, where it might represent a character's internal conflict. You can discuss the concept of regret in a conversation, using 'अफ़सोस' alongside words like 'ज़िम्मेदारी' (responsibility) and 'नतीजा' (result).

At the C1 level, you can appreciate the poetic depth of 'अफ़सोस'. You understand how it contrasts with Urdu synonyms like 'मलाल' (Malal) or 'रंज' (Ranj). You can use it in complex rhetorical structures, such as 'इसमें कोई अफ़सोस की बात नहीं' (There is nothing to regret in this). You are sensitive to the cultural implications of expressing regret in Indian society and can use the word to navigate delicate social hierarchies or emotional situations with precision. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from a native speaker.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'अफ़सोस' and its place in the history of the Hindi-Urdu language. You can analyze its usage in classical poetry (Ghazals) versus modern prose. You understand the philosophical nuances of regret versus existential despair and can use 'अफ़सोस' to articulate these concepts. You can also pick up on subtle sarcasm or irony when the word is used in a mocking way. You are capable of using the word in any context, from a legal defense to a high-art critique.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

अफ़सोस in 30 Seconds

अफ़सोस (Afsoos) is a masculine noun meaning regret or pity.
It is used with 'ko... hai' to say 'I am sorry' or 'I regret'.
It is common in both daily conversation and formal media.
It differs from 'Maafi' (apology) and 'Pachtava' (deep remorse).

The word अफ़सोस (Afsoos) is a cornerstone of emotional expression in Hindi, primarily used to convey a sense of regret, remorse, or pity. Originating from Persian, it has seamlessly integrated into the Hindi-Urdu lexicon, offering a nuanced way to express that one feels bad about a situation, whether it is a personal mistake or a misfortune that has befallen someone else. Unlike the word 'माफ़ी' (Maafi), which is a direct plea for forgiveness, Afsoos focuses on the internal state of sorrow or the external expression of sympathy. It is a versatile noun that can be paired with verbs like 'होना' (to happen/to feel) or 'करना' (to do/to express).

Emotional Range: It spans from a mild 'that's a pity' to a deep 'I deeply regret this.' It is the word you use when you miss a train, but also the word you use to offer condolences.
Grammatical Gender: It is a masculine noun. Therefore, we say 'बड़ा अफ़सोस' (big regret) rather than 'बड़ी अफ़सोस'.

मुझे अफ़सोस है कि मैं कल नहीं आ सका। (I regret that I couldn't come yesterday.)

In social settings, Afsoos acts as a social lubricant. If someone tells you they lost their wallet, saying 'बड़ा अफ़सोस हुआ' (I felt great pity/regret) shows empathy. It is less formal than the Sanskrit-derived 'खेद' (Khed), which you might hear in railway announcements or formal letters, making Afsoos the perfect middle-ground word for daily conversation. It allows the speaker to acknowledge a negative outcome without necessarily taking full legal or moral responsibility, though it can certainly be used in apologies as well.

Social Context: In North Indian culture, expressing regret is a sign of 'Tehzeeb' (etiquette). Failing to express Afsoos in appropriate situations might be seen as cold.

सुनकर बहुत अफ़सोस हुआ। (I felt very sorry to hear that.)

The word also appears frequently in literature and poetry to describe the fleeting nature of time or the 'what-ifs' of life. When a poet speaks of 'Afsoos,' they are often touching upon the universal human experience of looking back at a path not taken. In daily life, however, it remains grounded in the practicalities of missed opportunities and shared sorrows. Whether you are apologizing for a late reply or mourning a loss, this word provides the necessary emotional weight to your Hindi sentences.

कितने अफ़सोस की बात है! (What a matter of regret! / How sad!)

Using अफ़सोस correctly requires understanding its relationship with the auxiliary verbs 'होना' (to be/happen) and 'करना' (to do). Most commonly, learners will use the construction 'X को अफ़सोस है' (X has regret) or 'X को अफ़सोस हुआ' (X felt regret). This 'indirect' construction is typical for emotions in Hindi, where the emotion is something that happens to the person rather than something the person actively does.

The 'To Feel' Structure: [Subject] + को + अफ़सोस + है/था/होगा. Example: 'राम को अफ़सोस है' (Ram is sorry/regrets).

मुझे इस बात का अफ़सोस रहेगा। (I will always regret this matter.)

When you want to emphasize the act of expressing regret, you use 'अफ़सोस करना'. This is more active. For example, 'वह अपनी गलतियों पर अफ़सोस कर रहा है' (He is regretting his mistakes). Here, the focus is on the process of reflecting and feeling remorse. It is important to note the postposition 'पर' (on/at) which often follows the object of regret in this construction.

Intensifiers: You can use 'बड़ा' (big), 'बहुत' (much), or 'बेहद' (extreme) to intensify the feeling. Example: 'मुझे बेहद अफ़सोस है' (I extremely regret/I am deeply sorry).

हमें आपकी हार का अफ़सोस है। (We are sorry about your loss/defeat.)

Another common pattern is 'अफ़सोस की बात है' (It is a matter of regret). This is used as an introductory phrase to comment on a situation. For instance, 'अफ़सोस की बात है कि आज बारिश हो गई' (It's a pity that it rained today). This structure allows the speaker to distance themselves slightly from the emotion, making it a general observation of a regrettable fact. Understanding these three patterns—'X को अफ़सोस होना', 'अफ़सोस करना', and 'अफ़सोस की बात'—will cover 95% of your needs for this word.

क्या तुम्हें अपने किए पर अफ़सोस नहीं है? (Do you not regret what you did?)

In the real world, अफ़सोस is ubiquitous. You will hear it in the bustling streets of Delhi, in high-stakes Bollywood dramas, and in the quiet conversations of a family gathering. It is one of those words that transcends social classes. While it has Persian roots, it doesn't sound 'too Urdu' for a Hindi speaker, nor 'too Sanskritized' for a casual conversation. It is perfectly balanced.

In Cinema: Bollywood scripts are full of this word. Heroes express 'afsoos' for not being able to save the day, and villains might mockingly say 'बड़ा अफ़सोस हुआ' (So sorry for you) when their plans succeed.

नायक: मुझे अफ़सोस है कि मैं तुम्हें बचा नहीं पाया। (Hero: I regret that I couldn't save you.)

In the news and media, reporters use 'अफ़सोसनाक' (regrettable/unfortunate) to describe accidents or political setbacks. If a cricket match is cancelled due to rain, the commentator might say, 'बड़े अफ़सोस की बात है कि खेल नहीं हो सका' (It is a great pity that the game could not happen). This adds a layer of shared disappointment between the speaker and the audience.

Daily Socializing: When someone shares bad news—like a failed exam or a minor injury—responding with 'अफ़सोस' is the standard empathetic response. It shows you are listening and you care.

दोस्त: मेरी घड़ी खो गई। आप: अरे, बड़ा अफ़सोस हुआ। (Friend: My watch is lost. You: Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that.)

Furthermore, in professional environments, when a request is denied, the response often begins with 'हमें अफ़सोस है कि...' (We regret that...). This is the equivalent of the English 'We regret to inform you.' It softens the blow of a rejection and maintains a level of professional courtesy. By paying attention to these contexts, you'll see that 'Afsoos' isn't just a word for big tragedies; it's a word for the small frictions of life as well.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using 'अफ़सोस' as a direct translation for 'Sorry' in every context. In English, 'Sorry' is used to apologize, to ask someone to repeat themselves, or to express sympathy. In Hindi, 'अफ़सोस' is only for sympathy and regret. If you step on someone's foot, you should say 'माफ़ कीजिए' (Forgive me) or 'Sorry', not 'अफ़सोस'. Saying 'अफ़सोस' in that context would sound like you are pitying the person for having their foot stepped on, rather than apologizing for doing it!

Mistake: Gender Confusion: Incorrect: 'बड़ी अफ़सोस'. Correct: 'बड़ा अफ़सोस'. Remember, it is masculine!

गलत: मुझे बहुत अफ़सोस हुई। (Incorrect: I felt much regret - feminine verb). सही: मुझे बहुत अफ़सोस हुआ। (Correct - masculine verb).

Another mistake is confusing 'अफ़सोस' with 'पछतावा' (Pachtava). While they are similar, 'पछतावा' is specifically for remorse over one's own actions—the feeling of 'I wish I hadn't done that.' 'अफ़सोस' is broader; you can feel 'afsoos' for something that wasn't your fault at all. If your friend fails an exam, you feel 'afsoos', but you don't feel 'pachtava' (unless you were the one who distracted them from studying!).

Mistake: Subjective Case: Incorrect: 'मैं अफ़सोस हूँ' (I am regret). Correct: 'मुझे अफ़सोस है' (To me there is regret).

सही: उसे अपनी बात पर अफ़सोस है। (He regrets his words.)

Lastly, learners often forget the 'ko' (को) postposition when expressing their feelings. Because Hindi treats many emotions as things that 'come to' a person, the subject must be in the oblique case followed by 'ko'. If you say 'मैं अफ़सोस करता हूँ', it's grammatically correct but sounds a bit like a formal declaration. In everyday speech, 'मुझे अफ़सोस है' is the natural choice. Pay attention to these small grammatical markers to sound like a native speaker.

Hindi is rich in synonyms for regret and sadness, each carrying a slightly different weight or register. Knowing when to swap अफ़सोस for another word will greatly improve your fluency. The most common formal alternative is खेद (Khed). You will see this on signs (e.g., 'Inconvenience is regretted' - 'कष्ट के लिए खेद है') and hear it in official announcements.

Afsoos vs. Khed: Afsoos is conversational and emotional. Khed is administrative and formal. You wouldn't usually tell a friend 'मुझे खेद है' unless you were being jokingly stiff.

अफ़सोस: 'मुझे अफ़सोस है कि मैं तुम्हारी पार्टी में नहीं आ पाया।' (Personal/Warm)

Then there is पछतावा (Pachtava). This specifically means 'remorse' or 'repentance'. It is much stronger than 'Afsoos'. If 'Afsoos' is 'I feel bad about this,' 'Pachtava' is 'I am haunted by what I did.' It is often used in the context of moral failings or life-altering mistakes. Another beautiful word is मलाल (Malal), which is an Urdu-origin word meaning a lingering sense of resentment or unsatisfied regret. It’s that feeling of something remaining in your heart.

Dukh vs. Afsoos: Dukh means 'sorrow' or 'pain'. Afsoos is 'regret'. You feel 'dukh' when a pet dies; you feel 'afsoos' when you realize you forgot to feed it.

पछतावा: 'उसे अपनी चोरी पर बहुत पछतावा हुआ।' (He felt great remorse for his theft.)

Finally, in very poetic or high-literary contexts, you might encounter ग्लानि (Glani), which refers to a self-deprecating sense of shame or exhaustion from regret. For everyday learners, sticking to 'Afsoos' and 'Khed' will be more than sufficient. Just remember: 'Afsoos' for feelings, 'Khed' for formalities!

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word is almost identical in Urdu, Hindi, and Persian, showing the deep historical links between these languages.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /əf.soːs/

US /əf.soʊs/

The stress is on the second syllable: af-SOOS.

Rhymes With

Hosh (होश) Josh (जोश) Dosh (दोष) Kosh (कोश) Aghosh (आगोश) Khamosh (खामोश) Behosh (बेहोश) Santhosh (संतोष)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'f' as 'p' (apsoos). While common in some dialects, 'afsoos' is standard.
Making the 'o' sound too short.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize once the 'f' sound is mastered.

Writing 3/5

The 'f' (फ़) requires a dot (nukta) which learners often forget.

Speaking 2/5

Very common and easy to slot into basic sentences.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound makes it easy to pick up in audio.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

मुझे (To me) है (Is) हुआ (Happened) बात (Matter) गलती (Mistake)

Learn Next

पछतावा (Remorse) खेद (Formal regret) माफ़ी (Forgiveness) दुख (Sadness) मलाल (Resentment)

Advanced

ग्लानि (Self-reproach) विषाद (Despair) शोक (Mourning) संवेदना (Sympathy) क्षमा (Pardon)

Grammar to Know

The 'Ko' Construction for Emotions

मुझे अफ़सोस है। (To me there is regret.)

Masculine Noun Agreement

बड़ा अफ़सोस हुआ। (Not 'बड़ी'.)

Conjunctive Participle 'Kar'

सुनकर अफ़सोस हुआ। (Hearing [this], regret happened.)

Subordinating Conjunction 'Ki'

अफ़सोस है कि वह नहीं आया। (Regret is that he didn't come.)

Postposition 'Par' with Regret

गलती पर अफ़सोस। (Regret on [the] mistake.)

Examples by Level

मुझे अफ़सोस है।

I am sorry / I regret.

Simple Subject + ko + noun + verb structure.

बड़ा अफ़सोस हुआ।

Felt great regret / So sorry to hear.

Bada (masculine) agrees with Afsoos (masculine).

क्या आपको अफ़सोस है?

Do you regret it?

Interrogative sentence.

मुझे अफ़सोस नहीं है।

I don't regret it / I'm not sorry.

Negative sentence.

सुनकर अफ़सोस हुआ।

Sorry to hear that.

Sun-kar (after hearing) is a conjunctive participle.

बहुत अफ़सोस की बात है।

It's a very sad thing / matter of regret.

Use of 'ki baat' to mean 'a matter of'.

राम को अफ़सोस है।

Ram is sorry / Ram regrets.

Shows the 'ko' postposition with the subject.

अफ़सोस मत करो।

Don't regret / Don't be sorry.

Imperative negative using 'mat'.

मुझे अफ़सोस है कि मैं नहीं आ सका।

I'm sorry that I couldn't come.

Use of 'ki' as a conjunction.

उसे अपनी गलती पर अफ़सोस है।

He regrets his mistake.

Use of 'par' (on/at) for the object of regret.

क्या तुम्हें अफ़सोस हो रहा है?

Are you feeling regret?

Continuous aspect with 'ho raha'.

हमें आपकी हार का अफ़सोस है।

We are sorry about your defeat.

Possessive 'ka' linking the reason to the regret.

अफ़सोस है कि बारिश हो रही है।

It's a pity that it's raining.

Impersonal use of 'afsoos hai'.

वह अफ़सोस कर रहा था।

He was regretting / expressing regret.

Past continuous with 'kar raha tha'.

कितने अफ़सोस की बात है!

What a pity! / How regrettable!

Exclamatory sentence.

मुझे अब कोई अफ़सोस नहीं है।

I have no regrets now.

Use of 'koi' (any) for emphasis.

मुझे अफ़सोस है कि मैंने उसे सच नहीं बताया।

I regret that I didn't tell him the truth.

Complex sentence with past tense in the sub-clause.

अगर तुम मेहनत करते, तो तुम्हें अफ़सोस नहीं होता।

If you had worked hard, you wouldn't have regretted it.

Condition sentence (Type 2/3).

उसे इस बात का अफ़सोस हमेशा रहेगा।

He will always regret this matter.

Future tense 'rahega' indicating persistence.

क्या आपको यहाँ आने का अफ़सोस है?

Do you regret coming here?

Gerund 'aane ka' used as an object.

मुझे अफ़सोस है कि मैं आपकी मदद नहीं कर पाया।

I regret that I was unable to help you.

Use of 'paaya' for ability in the past.

वे अपनी पुरानी यादों पर अफ़सोस कर रहे हैं।

They are regretting their old memories/actions.

Plural subject and verb agreement.

बिना सोचे काम करने से अफ़सोस ही होता है।

Working without thinking only leads to regret.

General truth using 'hi' for emphasis.

मुझे अफ़सोस है कि मैंने आपका समय बर्बाद किया।

I am sorry that I wasted your time.

Transitive verb 'barbaad kiya' in the sub-clause.

हमें अफ़सोस है कि आपकी अर्ज़ी स्वीकार नहीं की गई।

We regret that your application was not accepted.

Passive voice in the second clause.

अफ़सोस इस बात का नहीं कि तुम हार गए, बल्कि इसका कि तुमने कोशिश नहीं की।

The regret isn't that you lost, but that you didn't try.

Correlative structure 'nahin... balki' (not... but).

जीवन में अफ़सोस के लिए कोई जगह नहीं होनी चाहिए।

There should be no room for regret in life.

Use of 'honi chahiye' for 'should be'.

वह पूरे दिन अफ़सोस में डूबा रहा।

He remained drowned in regret all day.

Metaphorical use of 'dooba raha' (remained drowned).

मुझे अफ़सोस है कि हमारी बातचीत इस तरह खत्म हुई।

I regret that our conversation ended this way.

Adverbial phrase 'is tarah' (this way).

क्या आपको अपनी बातों पर ज़रा भी अफ़सोस है?

Do you have even a little regret for your words?

Use of 'zara bhi' (even a little).

अफ़सोसनाक खबर सुनकर पूरा शहर उदास हो गया।

The whole city became sad after hearing the regrettable news.

Adjective form 'afsoosnak'.

मुझे अफ़सोस है कि मैं उस वक्त चुप रहा।

I regret that I remained silent at that time.

Focus on past inaction.

उसकी आँखों में गहरा अफ़सोस साफ़ झलक रहा था।

Deep regret was clearly visible in his eyes.

Descriptive literary style.

इतिहास गवाह है कि अफ़सोस करने से बीता हुआ समय वापस नहीं आता।

History is witness that regretting doesn't bring back past time.

Philosophical/Formal register.

मुझे इस बात का रत्ती भर भी अफ़सोस नहीं है।

I don't have even a shred of regret about this.

Idiomatic 'ratti bhar' (a tiny bit).

अफ़सोस की बात तो यह है कि किसी ने आवाज़ नहीं उठाई।

The regrettable thing is that no one raised their voice.

Emphatic 'to yeh hai' structure.

वह अपने अतीत के अफ़सोस से बाहर नहीं निकल पा रहा है।

He is unable to come out of the regrets of his past.

Abstract usage of 'baahar nikalna'.

क्या अफ़सोस करना ही अब एकमात्र विकल्प बचा है?

Is regretting the only option left now?

Rhetorical question.

मुझे अफ़सोस है कि मैं आपकी उम्मीदों पर खरा नहीं उतर सका।

I regret that I couldn't live up to your expectations.

Idiom 'khara utarna' (to live up to).

उनकी बातों में अफ़सोस की एक हल्की सी लहर थी।

There was a slight wave of regret in their words.

Metaphorical 'leher' (wave).

अफ़सोस की चादर ओढ़े वह अपनी तन्हाई में खोया रहा।

Wrapped in a shroud of regret, he remained lost in his loneliness.

Highly poetic/metaphorical.

मानवीय स्वभाव है कि हम खोने के बाद ही अफ़सोस करते हैं।

It is human nature that we only regret after losing.

Universal philosophical statement.

उनके शब्दों में निहित अफ़सोस को समझना हर किसी के बस की बात नहीं थी।

Understanding the regret inherent in his words was not everyone's cup of tea.

Advanced 'nihit' (inherent) and 'bas ki baat' (capacity).

अफ़सोस की इस आग में वह तिल-तिल जलता रहा।

He kept burning bit by bit in this fire of regret.

Intense literary imagery.

बिना अफ़सोस के जीना ही शायद सच्ची स्वतंत्रता है।

Perhaps living without regret is true freedom.

Abstract conceptualization.

उसने अफ़सोस के हर कतरे को अपनी लेखनी में उतार दिया।

He poured every drop of regret into his writing.

Creative/Artistic register.

क्या यह अफ़सोस है या केवल हार का एक कड़वा अहसास?

Is this regret or just a bitter feeling of defeat?

Nuanced philosophical inquiry.

अफ़सोस की गहराइयों में डूबा हुआ वह सत्य की खोज कर रहा था।

Drowned in the depths of regret, he was searching for the truth.

Epic/Narrative style.

Common Collocations

बड़ा अफ़सोस

गहरा अफ़सोस

अफ़सोस की बात

अफ़सोस जताना

अफ़सोस होना

अफ़सोस करना

कोई अफ़सोस नहीं

अफ़सोसनाक खबर

ज़रा भी अफ़सोस

बेहद अफ़सोस

Common Phrases

अफ़सोस है कि...

— Used to introduce a regrettable fact.

अफ़सोस है कि आप नहीं आ पाए।

सुनकर अफ़सोस हुआ

— Standard response to bad news.

आपकी बीमारी के बारे में सुनकर अफ़सोस हुआ।

कितने अफ़सोस की बात है

— Exclaiming about a pity.

कितने अफ़सोस की बात है कि वह हार गया।

अफ़सोस तो इस बात का है

— Highlighting the specific point of regret.

अफ़सोस तो इस बात का है कि उसने झूठ बोला।

मुझे कोई अफ़सोस नहीं

— Expressing lack of regret.

मैंने जो किया, उसका मुझे कोई अफ़सोस नहीं।

अफ़सोस करना बेकार है

— Saying that regretting won't help.

अब अफ़सोस करना बेकार है।

अफ़सोस के साथ कहना पड़ रहा है

— Formal way to deliver bad news.

अफ़सोस के साथ कहना पड़ रहा है कि आप फेल हो गए।

बड़ा अफ़सोस रहेगा

— Will regret it for a long time.

मुझे इस बात का बड़ा अफ़सोस रहेगा।

अफ़सोस में वक्त बिताना

— Wasting time in regret.

अफ़सोस में वक्त बिताना छोड़ो।

शायद उसे अफ़सोस हो

— Speculating about someone's regret.

शायद उसे अपनी गलती का अफ़सोस हो।

Often Confused With

अफ़सोस vs माफ़ी (Maafi)

Maafi is for asking forgiveness; Afsoos is for feeling/expressing regret.

अफ़सोस vs पछतावा (Pachtava)

Pachtava is specifically for personal remorse; Afsoos is broader.

अफ़सोस vs खेद (Khed)

Khed is the formal/Sanskrit version of Afsoos.

Idioms & Expressions

"हाथ मलते रह जाना"

— To be left rubbing one's hands in regret after missing an opportunity.

अवसर निकल गया और वह हाथ मलता रह गया।

Colloquial

"पछतावे की आग में जलना"

— To burn in the fire of remorse.

वह पछतावे की आग में जल रहा है।

Literary

"अफ़सोस की लहर"

— A wave of regret/sorrow.

खबर सुनते ही अफ़सोस की लहर दौड़ गई।

Journalistic

"दिल में मलाल रखना"

— To keep a sense of regret or resentment in the heart.

किसी के लिए दिल में मलाल मत रखो।

General

"अफ़सोस की चादर"

— Metaphor for being covered in sorrow.

उसने अफ़सोस की चादर ओढ़ ली है।

Poetic

"बीती ताहि बिसार दे"

— Forget the past (and the regrets that come with it).

बीती ताहि बिसार दे, आगे की सुध ले।

Proverbial

"खून के आँसू रोना"

— To weep tears of blood (extreme regret/sorrow).

वह अपनी गलती पर खून के आँसू रोया।

Idiomatic

"कलेजा मुँह को आना"

— To be deeply distressed or regretful.

उसकी हालत देखकर कलेजा मुँह को आ गया।

Idiomatic

"सिर धुनना"

— To beat one's head in regret.

अब सिर धुनने से क्या फायदा?

Colloquial

"मिट्टी में मिला देना"

— To ruin something, often leading to regret.

उसने अपनी इज़्ज़त मिट्टी में मिला दी।

General

Easily Confused

अफ़सोस vs माफ़ी

Both are used when something goes wrong.

Use 'Maafi' when you made the mistake and want to apologize. Use 'Afsoos' to say you feel bad about a situation.

मुझे अपनी गलती के लिए माफ़ी चाहिए, और मुझे अफ़सोस है कि आपको दुख हुआ।

अफ़सोस vs पछतावा

Both mean regret.

Pachtava is internal guilt for your own actions. Afsoos can be sympathy for others or general regret.

चोरी करने पर उसे पछतावा हुआ, लेकिन दोस्त की हार पर उसे अफ़सोस हुआ।

अफ़सोस vs खेद

They have the same meaning.

Khed is formal and used by institutions. Afsoos is natural and used by people.

रेलवे को खेद है, लेकिन मुझे अफ़सोस है।

अफ़सोस vs दुख

Both express sadness.

Dukh is a general emotion of pain/sorrow. Afsoos is specifically about a regrettable event.

मुझे बहुत दुख है कि वह मर गया, और अफ़सोस है कि मैं उससे मिल नहीं पाया।

अफ़सोस vs मलाल

Both mean regret.

Malal is a more poetic, lingering, often hidden regret.

मेरे मन में कोई मलाल नहीं बचा।

Sentence Patterns

मुझे [Noun] का अफ़सोस है।

मुझे इस बात का अफ़सोस है।

अफ़सोस है कि [Sentence].

अफ़सोस है कि आप बीमार हैं।

मुझे [Verb-ne] का अफ़सोस है।

मुझे वहाँ जाने का अफ़सोस है।

[Subject] को [Noun] पर अफ़सोस हुआ।

राम को अपनी हार पर अफ़सोस हुआ।

कितने अफ़सोस की बात है कि [Sentence]!

कितने अफ़सोस की बात है कि वह फेल हो गया!

अगर [Past], तो [Subject] को अफ़सोस नहीं होता।

अगर मैं पढ़ता, तो मुझे अफ़सोस नहीं होता।

अफ़सोस तो इस बात का है कि [Sentence].

अफ़सोस तो इस बात का है कि उसने कोशिश भी नहीं की।

[Noun] अफ़सोस का विषय है।

उसका व्यवहार अफ़सोस का विषय है।

Word Family

Nouns

अफ़सोस (Regret)

Verbs

अफ़सोस करना (To regret)

अफ़सोस होना (To feel regret)

Adjectives

अफ़सोसनाक (Regrettable/Unfortunate)

माफ़ी (Forgiveness)

पछतावा (Remorse)

खेद (Regret - formal)

मलाल (Lingering regret)

दुख (Sadness)

How to Use It

frequency

High - used daily in various social and emotional contexts.

Common Mistakes

मैं अफ़सोस हूँ (Main afsoos hoon) → मुझे अफ़सोस है (Mujhe afsoos hai)
Emotions are things you 'have' or 'happen to you' in Hindi, not something you 'are'.
बड़ी अफ़सोस (Badi afsoos) → बड़ा अफ़सोस (Bada afsoos)
'Afsoos' is a masculine noun, so the adjective must be masculine.
Using 'Afsoos' for 'Excuse me' → सुनिए (Suniye) / माफ़ कीजिए (Maaf kijiye)
'Afsoos' is for regret/sympathy, not for getting someone's attention.
मुझे अफ़सोस हुई (Mujhe afsoos hui) → मुझे अफ़सोस हुआ (Mujhe afsoos hua)
The verb must agree with the masculine noun 'Afsoos'.
Confusing it with 'Pachtava' → Using 'Afsoos' for sympathy.
Don't say 'Mujhe pachtava hai' when a friend fails; say 'Mujhe afsoos hai'.

Tips

The 'Ko' Rule

Always use 'ko' with the person who feels the regret. 'Mujhe', 'Usey', 'Ram ko'.

Showing Empathy

When someone shares a problem, say 'Bada afsoos hua' immediately to show you care.

Intensify It

Use 'Bahut' or 'Bada' before 'afsoos' to show deeper feeling.

The Nukta

Remember the dot under 'fa' (फ़). It changes the sound from 'p' to 'f'.

Not an Apology

If you bump into someone, say 'Sorry' or 'Maaf kijiye', not 'Afsoos'.

Listen to News

You will hear 'Afsoosnak' often in news headlines about accidents.

Poetic Nuance

In songs, 'Afsoos' often refers to lost love or missed chances.

Afsoos vs Khed

Use 'Afsoos' with friends and 'Khed' in business letters.

Using 'Ki'

Use 'ki' (that) to connect 'afsoos' to the reason for the regret.

Tone Matters

A soft, low-pitched voice makes your 'Afsoos' sound more sincere.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Afsoos' as 'A-F-S' - 'A Feeling of Sorrow'. It sounds like 'Alas' if you stretch your imagination.

Visual Association

Imagine someone sighing deeply and saying 'Alas!' while looking at a missed train. That sigh is 'Afsoos'.

Word Web

Regret Pity Sorry Remorse Empathy Sorrow Alas Mistake

Challenge

Try to use 'Afsoos' three times today: once for a small mistake, once for a friend's problem, and once as a general comment.

Word Origin

Borrowed from Persian 'afsos', which means 'alas', 'pity', or 'regret'. It entered Hindi through the long period of Persian influence on the Indian subcontinent.

Original meaning: Alas! / What a pity!

Indo-European -> Indo-Iranian -> Iranian -> Persian.

Cultural Context

It is a safe, polite word. However, using it too lightly in very serious situations (like a death) might seem insufficient; in those cases, more formal words like 'Shok' or 'Samvedna' might be added.

English speakers should be careful not to use 'Afsoos' for every 'Sorry'. Use it for empathy, not for 'Excuse me'.

Used frequently in the songs of Arijit Singh. Common in the dialogues of movies like 'Devdas'. Often found in the poetry of Mirza Ghalib (though usually in Urdu context).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Missing an event

मुझे अफ़सोस है कि मैं नहीं आ पाया।
बड़ा अफ़सोस हुआ कि मैं तुमसे नहीं मिल सका।
अफ़सोस की बात है कि पार्टी खत्म हो गई।
क्या आपको नहीं आने का अफ़सोस है?

Hearing bad news

सुनकर बहुत अफ़सोस हुआ।
यह सुनकर अफ़सोस हुआ कि आपकी तबीयत ठीक नहीं है।
मुझे आपके नुकसान का अफ़सोस है।
अफ़सोसनाक खबर है।

Making a mistake

मुझे अपनी गलती पर अफ़सोस है।
मैं अफ़सोस करता हूँ कि मैंने ऐसा कहा।
उसे अपने व्यवहार पर अफ़सोस है।
क्या तुम्हें ज़रा भी अफ़सोस नहीं है?

Formal rejection

हमें अफ़सोस है कि हम आपकी मदद नहीं कर सकते।
अफ़सोस के साथ सूचित किया जाता है...
हमें अफ़सोस है कि सीट खाली नहीं है।
प्रबंधन को इस देरी पर अफ़सोस है।

Life reflections

मुझे ज़िंदगी में कोई अफ़सोस नहीं है।
अतीत पर अफ़सोस करने से क्या होगा?
उसे अपनी पुरानी बातों का अफ़सोस है।
अफ़सोस के बिना जीना सीखो।

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको कभी किसी बात का अफ़सोस हुआ है? (Have you ever regretted anything?)"

"सुनकर अफ़सोस हुआ कि आपकी ट्रेन छूट गई। अब आप क्या करेंगे? (Sorry to hear you missed your train. What will you do now?)"

"अफ़सोस की बात है कि आज मौसम खराब है, है ना? (It's a pity the weather is bad today, isn't it?)"

"क्या आपको लगता है कि अफ़सोस करना समय की बर्बादी है? (Do you think regretting is a waste of time?)"

"मुझे अफ़सोस है कि मैं आपकी किताब नहीं ला सका। क्या कल ला सकता हूँ? (I'm sorry I couldn't bring your book. Can I bring it tomorrow?)"

Journal Prompts

आज की किसी ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखें जिसका आपको अफ़सोस है। (Write about an event today that you regret.)

अगर आपको किसी को 'अफ़सोस' कहना हो, तो आप किसे और क्यों कहेंगे? (If you had to say 'sorry/regret' to someone, to whom and why?)

क्या अफ़सोस हमें बेहतर इंसान बनाता है? अपने विचार लिखें। (Does regret make us better humans? Write your thoughts.)

एक ऐसी स्थिति के बारे में लिखें जहाँ आपको अफ़सोस हुआ लेकिन आपने कुछ नहीं कहा। (Write about a situation where you felt regret but said nothing.)

अपने जीवन के सबसे बड़े अफ़सोस के बारे में लिखें और आपने उससे क्या सीखा। (Write about the biggest regret of your life and what you learned from it.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is a masculine noun. You should say 'Bada Afsoos' and 'Afsoos हुआ'.

No, that's incorrect. You must say 'Mujhe afsoos hai' (To me there is regret).

Afsoos is the feeling of regret or sympathy. Maafi is the act of asking for forgiveness.

The most natural way is 'Sun-kar afsoos hua' (Hearing [that], regret happened).

Yes, but 'Khed' is even more formal. 'Afsoos' is perfect for semi-formal and daily use.

It is an adjective meaning 'regrettable' or 'unfortunate', often used for news.

Yes, it is very common to say 'Bada afsoos hua' to offer condolences.

No, it comes from Persian. The Sanskrit equivalent is 'Khed'.

You can use 'Afsoos karna' (to regret/do regret) or 'Afsoos hona' (to feel/happen regret).

Standard Hindi/Urdu is 'Afsoos' with an 'f'. 'Apsoos' is a common dialectal variant.