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B1 adjective #4,000 most common 9 min read

遗憾

yihan Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 遗憾 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 遗憾 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '遗憾' (yíhàn) in complex sentences. You mainly use it as a set phrase to be polite. The most important phrase to learn is '太遗憾了' (tài yíhàn le), which means 'That’s too bad' or 'What a pity.' You can use this when a friend tells you they are busy and cannot come to your party. It shows you are learning how to be polite in Chinese. You might also see it in very simple texts where someone is saying they cannot do something. At this stage, just remember that it is a 'sad' word used for situations, not for saying 'sorry' because you did something wrong. Focus on the sound 'yíhàn' and associate it with a disappointed face. Even if you don't use it much, knowing it helps you understand when someone is politely saying no to you. It is a 'polite rejection' word. For example, if you ask a teacher for help and they are busy, they might say '很遗憾，我现在没时间.' You should understand they are being nice, not mean.

At the A2 level, you can start using '遗憾' (yíhàn) to connect simple ideas. You are moving beyond just saying '太遗憾了' and starting to use it in sentences like '我很遗憾不能去' (I am sorry I cannot go). This is very useful for basic social interactions. You should also learn the difference between '遗憾' and '对不起' (duìbuqǐ). Use '对不起' when you break a glass, but use '遗憾' when you miss a concert. You are also starting to see it as an adjective. For example, '这是一个遗憾的消息' (This is regrettable news). At A2, you should practice using it to respond to other people's stories. If someone says they lost their phone, you can say '真遗憾.' It makes you sound more like a natural speaker who cares about others. You are also learning that it's a bit more formal than '可惜' (kěxī). If you want to sound a bit more serious or respectful, choose '遗憾.'

At the B1 level, '遗憾' (yíhàn) becomes a key tool for more nuanced communication. You are expected to use the pattern '遗憾的是...' (The regrettable thing is...) to introduce bad news or a disappointing fact. This is a classic B1 grammar structure. You should also be able to use it as a noun, such as in the phrase '留下遗憾' (to leave a regret). For example, '我不想给人生留下遗憾' (I don't want to leave any regrets in my life). This shows you can talk about abstract concepts like life goals. At this level, you should be able to distinguish '遗憾' from '后悔' (hòuhuǐ) clearly. You know that '遗憾' is for things you can't change or circumstances, while '后悔' is for your own mistakes. You can use '遗憾' in emails to decline invitations or explain why a project didn't work out. It adds a level of professional 'polish' to your Chinese. You are also beginning to recognize it in more formal contexts, like news reports or speeches.

At the B2 level, you should use '遗憾' (yíhàn) with more sophisticated modifiers and in more complex sentence structures. You might use phrases like '深表遗憾' (deeply express regret) in formal writing. You understand the emotional weight of the word in literature and can discuss '遗憾' as a theme in a book or movie. You are comfortable using it to express complex social nuances, such as showing empathy in a way that remains professional. You can also use it to contrast different feelings, for example: '虽然我并不后悔我的选择，但我仍然感到一丝遗憾' (Although I don't regret my choice, I still feel a hint of regret/pity). This shows a high level of emotional vocabulary. You should also be aware of the word's role in 'saving face'—using it to soften a refusal or a criticism. In business meetings, you might use it to express that a certain outcome was not ideal without blaming any specific person.

At the C1 level, your use of '遗憾' (yíhàn) should be near-native. You understand its philosophical implications and can use it in high-level academic or literary discussions. You might use it to describe historical events or the 'lingering regrets' of a generation. You are also familiar with idioms and four-character phrases (chengyu) that involve similar concepts, though '遗憾' itself is a two-character word. You can use it to create specific rhetorical effects in your writing, perhaps by using it as a noun to symbolize a lost era or a missed cultural opportunity. You can distinguish between '遗憾,' '惋惜,' and '怅惘' (chàngwǎng - a more poetic sense of loss). Your use of the word in formal speeches or debates is precise and carries the appropriate gravitas. You understand that in diplomatic language, '遗憾' is a carefully chosen word that can signal anything from genuine sympathy to a formal protest, depending on the context and the modifiers used.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of '遗憾' (yíhàn) and its place in the vast landscape of Chinese synonyms for loss and regret. You can use it with effortless precision in any register, from the most casual conversation to the most formal diplomatic or legal document. You understand the historical evolution of the characters and how the meaning has shifted over time. You can appreciate and use it in classical-style poetry or highly refined modern prose. You are sensitive to the subtle difference in tone between '遗憾,' '抱憾' (bàohàn - to carry a regret to one's grave), and other related terms. You can use the word to navigate the most delicate social situations, using its inherent ambiguity to your advantage. Your ability to use '遗憾' reflects a deep cultural immersion, allowing you to express the specifically Chinese sense of 'what might have been' with perfect emotional resonance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

遗憾 in 30 Seconds

A versatile word for 'regret' or 'pity' used to describe missed opportunities.
Essential for polite formal communication and declining invitations in Chinese.
Focuses on the unfortunate nature of a situation rather than personal guilt.
Commonly used in the pattern '遗憾的是' to introduce disappointing news.

The Chinese word 遗憾 (yíhàn) is a fundamental term for expressing regret, but it carries a specific nuance that distinguishes it from other types of remorse. At its core, 遗憾 describes a feeling of sorrow or dissatisfaction arising from a situation that didn't go as planned, a missed opportunity, or a circumstance beyond one's control. Unlike the word '后悔' (hòuhuǐ), which usually implies personal guilt or a desire to change a choice you personally made, 遗憾 is more about the objective 'pity' of a situation. It is the feeling of 'what a shame' or 'I’m sorry that happened.' For English speakers, it serves as a bridge between 'regret' and 'it is a pity.'

Formal Declination: In professional or formal social settings, 遗憾 is the gold standard for declining invitations. When you cannot attend a wedding or a business meeting, saying '我很遗憾不能参加' (I am very sorry/regretful that I cannot attend) sounds sophisticated and genuinely polite. It shifts the focus from your 'refusal' to the 'unfortunate fact' that you are busy.
Missed Opportunities: We use 遗憾 when reflecting on life's path. If you wanted to study music but became an accountant to support your family, you might feel 遗憾 about the music career. You don't necessarily 'regret' supporting your family (后悔), but you feel a sense of loss for the other path. It is the emotion of the 'road not taken.'

没有去北京看长城是我这次旅行最大的遗憾。(Not going to Beijing to see the Great Wall is my biggest regret of this trip.)

Culturally, Chinese communication often prioritizes harmony and the preservation of 'face.' Using 遗憾 allows a speaker to express negative news or feelings without being blunt. For instance, if a company rejects a job applicant, they will almost always use the phrase '我们很遗憾地通知您' (We regret to inform you). This softens the blow by suggesting that the company itself finds the outcome unfortunate, rather than simply saying 'you were not good enough.'

In literature and film, 遗憾 is a recurring theme. It captures the essence of tragic beauty—the love that almost happened, the hero who died just before the victory, or the child who never met their parents. It is a deeply resonant emotional state that suggests a lingering, quiet sadness rather than a sharp, explosive pain. When you use this word, you are tapping into a profound part of the Chinese emotional vocabulary that values the acknowledgement of life's imperfections.

Mastering 遗憾 requires understanding its versatility as both a noun and an adjective. Its placement in a sentence determines whether you are describing a feeling or labeling an event as 'regrettable.' The most common structures involve the verb '感到' (to feel) or using it as a modifier for a situation.

Structure: Subject + 感到 + 遗憾: This is the standard way to express that someone feels sorry about something. Example: '他为错过那场比赛感到非常遗憾' (He feels very regretful about missing that match). Here, the focus is on his internal state.
Structure: 遗憾的是... (The regrettable thing is...): This is a very common sentence starter, equivalent to 'Unfortunately' or 'It's a pity that...'. Example: '遗憾的是，我们没能赢得比赛' (Regrettably, we weren't able to win the game). This sets the tone for the entire statement.

这是一件非常遗憾的事情。(This is a very regrettable matter / This is a great pity.)

You can also use 遗憾 to modify nouns directly, though it often takes the form of '遗憾的事' or '遗憾的决定'. When used as a noun, it often follows verbs like '留下' (to leave behind). For example, '我不希望给自己留下任何遗憾' (I don't want to leave myself any regrets). This is a common motivational phrase in China, encouraging people to work hard or confess their feelings so they don't look back with sadness.

Structure: 感到 + 万分/深表 + 遗憾: In extremely formal contexts, like diplomatic statements or formal letters of condolence, you might see '深表遗憾' (deeply express regret). This is highly formal and should be reserved for serious occasions.

When using 遗憾 in the B1 level, focus on the '遗憾的是' pattern. It is the most useful for storytelling and explaining why something didn't happen. For example, '我想去参加你的派对，但遗憾的是我那天要加班' (I wanted to go to your party, but unfortunately I have to work overtime that day). This demonstrates a high level of linguistic tact.

You will encounter 遗憾 in a variety of real-life scenarios, ranging from the mundane to the life-altering. Understanding the context helps in choosing the right tone. In daily life, it often appears in conversations about missed events. If a friend tells you they missed a concert because they were sick, you would respond with '那太遗憾了' (That's such a pity). It’s a way of showing empathy without taking responsibility for the situation.

In the News: News anchors often use this word when reporting on tragedies or failed negotiations. '双方未能达成协议，令人感到遗憾' (It is regrettable that the two sides failed to reach an agreement). It provides a neutral but empathetic tone to the reporting.
In Business Correspondence: When a company has to cancel an order or cannot meet a deadline, the official email will likely start with '我们非常遗憾地通知您...' (We very regretfully inform you...). This is standard corporate etiquette in the Sinophone world.

对于这次失误，我们深表遗憾。(We express deep regret for this mistake.)

In Chinese pop culture, particularly in Mandopop songs, 遗憾 is a massive theme. Songs often talk about the '遗憾' of a breakup—not that the person did something wrong, but that the timing was off or the circumstances changed. It captures a sense of 'fate' (缘分) that didn't quite align. Listening to these songs can help you understand the emotional weight the word carries; it’s a sigh for what could have been.

Furthermore, in sports commentary, you’ll hear it when an athlete narrowly misses a medal. '他以0.01秒之差错失金牌，真是太遗憾了' (He missed the gold medal by 0.01 seconds; it’s truly a great pity). Here, the word highlights the narrow margin between success and failure, making the audience feel the weight of the loss.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is confusing 遗憾 (yíhàn) with 后悔 (hòuhuǐ). While both are translated as 'regret' in English, they are not interchangeable in Chinese. If you say '我遗憾我没学习' (I regret I didn't study), it sounds slightly off because 遗憾 is usually a reaction to a situation, while 后悔 is a reaction to your own choice. Correctly, you would say '我后悔没学习' because the lack of study was your decision.

Mistake: Using 遗憾 as a direct apology: If you step on someone's foot, saying '我很遗憾' sounds like you are a philosopher contemplating the sadness of the universe, rather than someone saying 'sorry.' In this case, use '对不起' (duìbuqǐ).
Mistake: Incorrect Word Order with '遗憾的是': Learners often try to say '是遗憾' at the end of a sentence like 'It is a pity.' While '真遗憾' works, '遗憾的是' must always come at the beginning of the clause it modifies.

Wrong: 我很遗憾打破了杯子。 (Too formal/odd for a broken cup)
Right: 我不小心打破了杯子，真抱歉。

Another nuance involves the degree of the word. 遗憾 is a 'strong' word in terms of its emotional depth but 'soft' in its social impact. Some learners use it for very trivial things where '可惜' (kěxī) would be better. For example, if you dropped your ice cream, '太可惜了' (What a waste/pity) is more natural than '太遗憾了,' which might sound overly dramatic for a snack.

Finally, remember that 遗憾 can be a noun. You can 'have' a 遗憾 (有一个遗憾) or 'leave' a 遗憾 (留下遗憾). Beginners often forget this and only use it as an adjective. Using it as a noun will make your Chinese sound much more native and expressive, especially when talking about life goals and memories.

To truly understand 遗憾, we must compare it to its neighbors in the semantic field of 'unfortunate feelings.' Each word has a specific 'flavor' and social context.

遗憾 (yíhàn) vs. 后悔 (hòuhuǐ): Regret. 遗憾 is about the external situation/outcome (pity). 后悔 is about your internal choice (remorse). You 遗憾 that the weather ruined the party; you 后悔 that you didn't check the weather forecast.
遗憾 (yíhàn) vs. 可惜 (kěxī): What a pity / What a waste. 可惜 is more casual and often refers to the waste of a resource or a small missed chance. 遗憾 is deeper, more emotional, and more formal. If you miss a bus, it's 可惜. If you miss your best friend's wedding, it's 遗憾.
遗憾 (yíhàn) vs. 抱歉 (bàoqiàn): To feel apologetic. 抱歉 is used when you are the cause of a minor inconvenience. 遗憾 is used to express sympathy for a situation, even if you didn't cause it. In a business rejection, you use 遗憾 to be polite without admitting a 'mistake.'

虽然很遗憾，但这也是没办法的事。(Although it is a pity, there is nothing that can be done.)

In formal writing, you might also see '惋惜' (wǎnxī). This is specifically used when expressing sympathy for someone else's misfortune or the loss of a great talent. For example, if a young athlete retires early due to injury, the public feels '惋惜.' It is a more externalized version of 遗憾. While 遗憾 is something you feel yourself, 惋惜 is something you feel *for* someone else or a situation.

Choosing the right word shows your level of social intelligence in Chinese. Using 遗憾 in a casual setting might make you sound stiff, while using 可惜 in a formal letter of apology might make you sound insincere. Always consider the gravity of the situation and your relationship with the listener.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '憾' contains the heart radical '忄', indicating it is an internal emotion. The phonetic part '感' means 'to feel'. So, it literally means a 'feeling in the heart'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /jǐ xân/

US /jǐ xân/

The stress is usually balanced, but the fourth tone on 'hàn' makes it sound more emphatic.

Rhymes With

叹 (tàn) 慢 (màn) 看 (kàn) 办 (bàn) 站 (zhàn) 淡 (dàn) 烂 (làn) 饭 (fàn)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'yí' as first tone (flat).
Confusing the 'an' sound with the English 'man' (it should be closer to 'ah-n').
Failing to drop the pitch sharply on 'hàn'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are slightly complex but common in news and stories.

Writing 4/5

Writing '遗憾' from memory requires attention to the many strokes in '憾'.

Speaking 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward once tones are mastered.

Listening 3/5

Must be distinguished from similar sounding words in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

后悔可惜伤心消息决定

Learn Next

惋惜愧疚弥补辜负感慨

Advanced

怅然若失抱憾终生失之交臂相见恨晚

Grammar to Know

The '的是' structure for emphasis

遗憾的是，他走了。

Using '为' to indicate the cause of emotion

我为他的失败感到遗憾。

Adverbial '地' usage

他遗憾地摇了摇头。

'令人' as a causative prefix

这个结果令人遗憾。

'感到' vs '觉得' with emotions

我感到遗憾 (more formal) vs 我觉得遗憾 (more casual).

Examples by Level

太遗憾了。

That's a pity.

Simple 'Subject + Adjective' structure where the subject is implied.

我很遗憾。

I am sorry / I feel regretful.

Basic 'Subject + Adjective' pattern.

他很遗憾。

He is sorry.

Third-person singular subject.

真遗憾！

What a pity!

'真' (really) used as an intensifier.

遗憾吗？

Is it a pity? / Do you regret it?

Question formed by adding '吗'.

不遗憾。

No regret. / Not a pity.

Negative form using '不'.

非常遗憾。

Very regretful.

'非常' (very) used as an intensifier.

你遗憾吗？

Do you feel regret?

Subject-verb-question particle structure.

我很遗憾你不能来。

I am sorry you cannot come.

'Subject + 遗憾 + [Clause]' structure.

这是一个遗憾的事情。

This is a regrettable thing.

Using 遗憾 as an adjective modifying a noun.

听到这个消息，我很遗憾。

Hearing this news, I am very sorry.

Prepositional phrase '听到这个消息' providing context.

他为这件事感到遗憾。

He feels regretful about this matter.

'为...感到遗憾' is a common pattern.

那太遗憾了，我们走吧。

That's too bad, let's go.

Combining a statement of regret with a suggestion.

虽然遗憾，但是没关系。

Although it's a pity, it's okay.

'虽然...但是...' contrastive structure.

我不觉得遗憾。

I don't feel regretful.

Negative feeling using '觉得'.

真是一个遗憾的周末。

It really was a regrettable weekend.

Using '真是' for emphasis.

遗憾的是，他没有通过考试。

Regrettably, he didn't pass the exam.

'遗憾的是' used as a sentence starter.

我不想给自己留下任何遗憾。

I don't want to leave myself any regrets.

Using 遗憾 as a noun with the verb '留下'.

我们对他没能来参加婚礼感到遗憾。

We feel regretful that he couldn't come to the wedding.

Complex subject-object relationship.

错过了这次机会，他感到万分遗憾。

Having missed this opportunity, he feels extremely regretful.

'万分' used to express a high degree of emotion.

这真是一次遗憾的旅行。

This really was a regrettable trip.

Attributive use of 遗憾.

他一生中最大的遗憾就是没去留学。

The biggest regret of his life was not studying abroad.

Noun phrase '最大的遗憾' as the subject.

如果你不去，你会感到遗憾的。

If you don't go, you will feel regretful.

Conditional '如果...会...的' structure.

我很遗憾地通知您，您的申请被拒绝了。

I regret to inform you that your application was rejected.

Adverbial use '遗憾地' modifying '通知'.

对于未能按时完成任务，我们深表遗憾。

We express deep regret for failing to complete the task on time.

'深表遗憾' is a formal idiomatic expression.

虽然结果令人遗憾，但我们已经尽力了。

Although the result is regrettable, we have done our best.

'令人遗憾' means 'causing one to feel regret.'

他带着遗憾离开了这个城市。

He left this city with regrets.

'带着...' prepositional phrase describing the state.

这件作品的唯一遗憾是颜色太暗了。

The only regret/flaw of this work is that the color is too dark.

Using 遗憾 to mean a 'flaw' or 'shortcoming' in a creative work.

我很遗憾我们之间产生了误会。

I am sorry that a misunderstanding arose between us.

Using 遗憾 to address interpersonal issues politely.

他并没有表现出任何遗憾的样子。

He didn't show any sign of regret.

'表现出...的样子' structure.

遗憾的是，由于天气原因，比赛取消了。

Regrettably, due to weather reasons, the match was cancelled.

'由于' used for formal causality.

这种遗憾将伴随他一生。

This regret will accompany him for the rest of his life.

Personification of '遗憾' as something that 'accompanies'.

这种文化的流失无疑是一个巨大的遗憾。

The loss of this culture is undoubtedly a huge regret/pity.

Abstract noun usage in a formal critique.

他的一生充满了辉煌，但也留下了不少遗憾。

His life was full of glory, but it also left many regrets.

Contrastive sentence structure for life summary.

我们必须承认，这种处理方式是令人遗憾的。

We must admit that this way of handling things is regrettable.

'令人遗憾' used as a formal evaluative adjective.

尽管他赢了，但他心中依然有一丝遗憾。

Even though he won, there was still a hint of regret in his heart.

'依然' and '一丝' add nuance to the emotional state.

遗憾之情溢于言表。

The feeling of regret was plain to see (overflowed into words and expression).

Use of a four-character literary-style phrase.

没能见到祖父最后一面，成了他终生的遗憾。

Failing to see his grandfather for the last time became his lifelong regret.

'成了...的遗憾' structure.

历史往往充满了这种不可挽回的遗憾。

History is often full of such irreversible regrets.

Philosophical application of the term.

我很遗憾你竟然会产生这样的想法。

I am sorry that you would actually think this way.

'竟然' adds a tone of surprise or shock to the regret.

在外交辞令中，“遗憾”往往承载着多重含义。

In diplomatic language, 'regret' often carries multiple meanings.

Meta-linguistic discussion of the word's usage.

他笔下的文字，总透着一种淡淡的遗憾。

The writing under his pen always reveals a kind of faint regret.

Literary description of a writing style.

这种悲剧性的遗憾，正是这部作品的魅力所在。

This tragic regret is exactly where the charm of this work lies.

'正是...所在' structure for emphasis.

抱憾终生是对一个人最残酷的惩罚。

Carrying a regret to the grave is the most cruel punishment for a person.

Use of '抱憾' as a more intense version of 遗憾.

我们对此深表遗憾，并希望能有补救的机会。

We deeply regret this and hope for an opportunity to make amends.

Combining formal regret with a proactive request.

这种遗憾并非源于过错，而是源于错位。

This regret does not stem from a mistake, but from a misalignment.

'并非...而是...' structure for philosophical distinction.

在那张苍老的脸上，我读出了无尽的遗憾。

On that aged face, I read endless regret.

Metaphorical use of '读出' (to read/discern).

遗憾之余，我们更应该反思失败的原因。

Beyond the regret, we should reflect more on the reasons for the failure.

'遗憾之余' means 'aside from the regret' or 'in addition to feeling regret'.

Synonyms

可惜懊悔怅惘抱歉

Antonyms

庆幸欣慰

Common Collocations

深表遗憾

感到遗憾

留下遗憾

终生遗憾

令人遗憾

万分遗憾

毫无遗憾

弥补遗憾

最大遗憾

遗憾的是

Common Phrases

深表遗憾

— To express deep regret. Used in official statements.

我们对此次延误深表遗憾。

遗憾的是

— The regrettable thing is... Used to introduce bad news.

遗憾的是，计划失败了。

太遗憾了

— That's such a pity. A common response to bad news.

你不能来？那太遗憾了。

终生遗憾

— A lifelong regret. Something one will regret forever.

没能上大学是他一辈子的终生遗憾。

毫无遗憾

— No regrets at all. Expressing total satisfaction.

我尽力了，所以毫无遗憾。

令人遗憾

— Causing regret; regrettable. Describes an event.

这种结果真的令人遗憾。

弥补遗憾

— To make up for a regret. Trying to fix a past loss.

他回乡是为了弥补当年的遗憾。

为...感到遗憾

— To feel regretful about something.

我为错过你的生日感到遗憾。

留下遗憾

— To leave behind a regret.

不要给自己的未来留下遗憾。

遗憾之情

— The feeling of regret. Used in descriptive writing.

他的眼神中流露出遗憾之情。

Often Confused With

遗憾 vs 后悔

遗憾 is about the situation; 后悔 is about your choice.

遗憾 vs 可惜

遗憾 is deeper and more formal; 可惜 is for waste or minor things.

遗憾 vs 惭愧

遗憾 is feeling sorry about a pity; 惭愧 is feeling ashamed of oneself.

Idioms & Expressions

"抱憾终生"

— To carry a regret until the end of one's life.

没能见到母亲最后一面，让他抱憾终生。

Formal/Literary

"死而无憾"

— To die without any regrets. Used to show great satisfaction.

只要能看到祖国统一，我死而无憾。

Literary/Strong

"平生之憾"

— The regret of one's life. A major missed opportunity.

没能亲眼见到这位大师，是我平生之憾。

Literary

"遗憾万千"

— Countless regrets. Feeling a lot of remorse.

回想起往事，他感到遗憾万千。

Literary

"终身之憾"

— Similar to 终生遗憾, a regret for the rest of one's life.

这次失败成了他的终身之憾。

Formal

"大为遗憾"

— To feel great regret.

他对这个结果感到大为遗憾。

Formal

"深以为憾"

— To deeply consider something a regret.

未能成行，我深以为憾。

Formal/Written

"不留遗憾"

— To leave no regrets. A common modern slogan.

努力奋斗，不留遗憾。

Neutral/Motivational

"以此为憾"

— To take this as a regret.

他一直以此为憾，耿耿于怀。

Formal

"终身遗憾"

— Lifelong regret. Common variant of 终生遗憾.

这对他来说是一个终身遗憾。

Neutral

Easily Confused

遗憾 vs 后悔

Both mean 'regret' in English.

后悔 implies you think you made a wrong decision. 遗憾 means you are sad about how things turned out, regardless of who is at fault.

我后悔没买那本书 (I should have bought it). 我遗憾那本书卖完了 (It's a pity it's sold out).

遗憾 vs 可惜

Both describe a 'pity'.

可惜 is often used for the waste of resources or small things. 遗憾 is for larger life events or formal apologies.

这顿饭没吃完太可惜了。没能见到老朋友很遗憾。

遗憾 vs 惋惜

Both express a sense of 'it's a pity'.

惋惜 is mostly used for someone else's misfortune or a loss of something valuable to society. 遗憾 can be personal.

大家对他的去世感到惋惜。

遗憾 vs 抱歉

Both can be used to say 'sorry'.

抱歉 is an apology for a mistake. 遗憾 is a statement of sympathy or regret about a situation.

我很抱歉我迟到了。我很遗憾你没能获奖。

遗憾 vs 愧疚

Both involve feeling bad about the past.

愧疚 involves a heavy sense of guilt. 遗憾 is just sadness about a missed chance.

我对他感到很愧疚。

Sentence Patterns

Subject + 很 + 遗憾。

我很遗憾。

Subject + 遗憾 + [Clause]。

他遗憾他不能来。

遗憾的是，[Clause]。

遗憾的是，我没去。

Verb + 遗憾

留下遗憾。

为...感到遗憾

我为他的病感到遗憾。

令人遗憾的是...

令人遗憾的是，比赛取消了。

对...深表遗憾

我们对这次误会深表遗憾。

遗憾之余，[Action]。

遗憾之余，我们还要努力。

Word Family

Nouns

遗憾 (regret)

Verbs

遗憾 (to regret - rare, usually 感到遗憾)

Adjectives

遗憾 (regrettable)

令人遗憾的 (regrettable)

憾事 (regrettable matter)

抱憾 (to harbor regret)

缺憾 (flaw/regret)

感叹 (to sigh with emotion)

惋惜 (to feel sorry for)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Using 遗憾 instead of 后悔 for personal choices. → 我后悔没去上课。
Since going to class was your choice, '后悔' is more appropriate than '遗憾'.
Using 遗憾 as a standalone apology for a mistake. → 对不起，我弄坏了你的笔。
遗憾 is for situations, not for apologizing for a personal error like breaking something.
Saying '是遗憾' at the end of a sentence. → 那真遗憾。 / 遗憾的是...
In English we say 'It is a pity,' but in Chinese we usually use '真遗憾' or '遗憾的是'.
Using 遗憾 for very trivial things. → 这支笔没墨水了，真可惜。
遗憾 is a bit too heavy/formal for a pen running out of ink. '可惜' fits better.
Confusing the tones. → yí hàn (2nd and 4th)
Changing the tones can make the word unrecognizable or change the meaning entirely.

Tips

Use it to soften rejections

If you have to say no to someone, start with '我很遗憾...'. It makes you sound much more polite and caring in a Chinese cultural context.

Master '遗憾的是'

This phrase is the easiest way to use the word. Use it like 'Unfortunately' at the start of any sentence to show a disappointment.

Don't confuse with 后悔

Always ask: 'Is this my fault (后悔) or just a sad situation (遗憾)?' This will help you choose the right word 100% of the time.

Use it for 'Face'

In business, using 遗憾 allows you to acknowledge a problem without taking full legal or personal blame, which is a common strategy in Chinese communication.

Tone matters

The fourth tone on 'hàn' should be firm but not angry. A soft but clear drop in pitch conveys genuine sympathy.

Noun forms are powerful

Instead of just saying 'I am sorry', say '这成了我的一个遗憾' (This became a regret of mine). It sounds more poetic and native.

Listen for 'Tai yihan le'

This is the most common response to bad news. If you hear it, the person is showing they care about your disappointment.

The 'Left-behind' Heart

Remember '遗' is 'left behind'. A 遗憾 is a feeling that is 'left behind' in your heart after an event is over.

Formal modifier

Use '深表' (deeply express) before 遗憾 to immediately upgrade your writing to a professional level.

Don't use for small things

If you missed a bus by one minute, '可惜' is better. If you missed a flight to a job interview, '遗憾' is appropriate.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

'Yi' sounds like 'Eek!' (a small shock) and 'Han' sounds like 'Hahn' (a sigh). Eek! I missed it... *sigh* (Hahn). That is my 遗憾.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing on a train platform looking at a train that just left. The 'left behind' part of '遗' matches the missed train.

Word Web

后悔 (Remorse) 可惜 (Pity/Waste) 机会 (Opportunity) 错过 (To miss) 抱歉 (Apology) 感情 (Emotion) 生活 (Life) 礼物 (Gift - missing a gift)

Challenge

Try to use '遗憾的是' to explain three things that didn't happen this week. For example: 遗憾的是，我没去健身房。

Word Origin

The word is composed of '遗' (yí) meaning 'left behind' or 'lost' and '憾' (hàn) meaning 'resentment' or 'remorse'.

Original meaning: Something that is left over in the heart as a source of dissatisfaction or remorse.

Sino-Tibetan / Sinitic.

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 遗憾 in business; '深表遗憾' can sometimes sound like a 'non-apology apology' where you regret the situation but don't take blame.

English speakers often use 'regret' for everything. In Chinese, you must split 'regret' into 遗憾 (circumstances) and 后悔 (your choice).

The song '遗憾' by Mavis Hee (许美静) is a classic Mandopop track about the regrets of love. In the movie 'In the Mood for Love', the missed connection between the leads is a classic '遗憾'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Declining an invitation

我很遗憾不能参加
遗憾的是我有别的安排
真遗憾错过这次机会
对此我感到非常遗憾

Responding to bad news

那太遗憾了
听到这个我很遗憾
真是一个遗憾的消息
真为你感到遗憾

Reflecting on the past

我没有任何遗憾
那是我最大的遗憾
留下了一些遗憾
弥补过去的遗憾

Professional rejections

我们遗憾地通知您
深表遗憾地拒绝
对此表示遗憾
虽然遗憾但无法合作

Sports and Competitions

令人遗憾的失利
表现出色但留有遗憾
微弱差距造成的遗憾
毫无遗憾的比赛

Conversation Starters

"你生活中最大的遗憾是什么？"

"你觉得错过那次机会遗憾吗？"

"遗憾的是，你没能见到他，对吧？"

"如果没有遗憾，生活会不会很无聊？"

"你如何弥补自己过去的遗憾？"

Journal Prompts

写一件让你感到遗憾的小事。

如果你可以回到过去弥补一个遗憾，你会做什么？

为什么有些人总是活在遗憾中？

描述一次虽然遗憾但学到了很多的经历。

你认为'无憾'的人生真的存在吗？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should use 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) or 抱歉 (bàoqiàn). 遗憾 is for situations that are a pity, like missing a party or a project failing. If you use 遗憾 for a broken cup, it sounds like you are mourning the cup's fate rather than apologizing for your clumsiness.

可惜 is more casual and often refers to a 'waste' of something (like food or time). 遗憾 is more emotional and formal, used for missed life opportunities or in professional settings. For example, '可惜了这壶好茶' (What a waste of this good tea) vs '遗憾没能见到他' (Regret not being able to see him).

It can be both. As an adjective: '这是一个遗憾的结果' (This is a regrettable result). As a noun: '我有一个遗憾' (I have one regret).

You can say '我没有遗憾' or more idiomatically '毫无遗憾' (háo wú yí hàn) or '此生无憾' (cǐ shēng wú hàn) for 'no regrets in this life.'

It is very formal. You will mostly hear it in news reports, diplomatic statements, or very formal business letters. Don't use it with your friends or it will sound like a joke.

Not directly as 'a regrettable person.' You would say '他是一个令人遗憾的人' meaning he is a person who makes others feel pity (perhaps because he wasted his talent).

It means 'The regrettable thing is...' or 'Unfortunately...' It is used to introduce a disappointing fact in a sentence.

Yes, very often. It describes a love that couldn't happen due to timing or circumstances. It's a very popular theme in Chinese love songs.

It is rarely used as a direct verb like 'I regret...'. Instead, Chinese uses '感到遗憾' (feel regret) or '表示遗憾' (express regret).

There isn't one single word, but '庆幸' (qìngxìng - to feel lucky/glad something didn't happen) or '满足' (mǎnzú - satisfied) are often used as opposites in context.