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后悔 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
后悔hòuhuǐto regretHSK 4, v, rank #1909, Hard
后悔hòuhuǐto repentHSK 4, v, rank #1909, Hard
hòuhuǐ(hou4hui3) T4
  1. 1to regret
  2. 2to repent
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March 24, 2026
后悔(後悔)hòuhuǐ(hou4hui3)

后悔 (hòu huǐ) means to feel regret or remorse over something that has happened or a decision that was made. It is commonly used when reflecting on past actions or choices that led to negative outcomes, often expressing a desire to change the past.

Frequency#1909DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

Regret is a common theme in Chinese storytelling and literature, often reflecting the idea of fate and the consequences of one's actions. The concept of 'regret' can be seen in traditional sayings, emphasizing the importance of making wise choices.

Memory Tip

Imagine someone looking back (后) and feeling a deep sorrow (悔) for a mistake they made. Picture them saying 'Oh, I wish I could go back and change that!' The character 后 represents 'behind' or 'after,' and 悔 relates to 'repentance' or 'regret,' helping you remember the meaning.

Meanings of 后悔

hòuhuǐ(hou4hui3)
1to regret
2to repent
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About 后悔

后悔Simplified
後悔Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1909Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 后悔

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Podcast: 后悔

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AI Study Notes for 后悔

Quick Contrast

懊悔 (àohuǐ) is more intense and personal, often implying a deeper emotional pain than 后悔 (hòuhuǐ).

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine someone looking back (后) and feeling a deep sorrow (悔) for a mistake they made. Picture them saying 'Oh, I wish I could go back and change that!' The character 后 represents 'behind' or 'after,' and 悔 relates to 'repentance' or 'regret,' helping you remember the meaning.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 后悔 with similar terms like 遗憾 (yí hàn), which expresses a more general sense of regret without the implication of personal fault. Use 后悔 in both formal and informal contexts, but ensure the tone matches the emotional weight of the situation.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 4 word, 后悔 connects well with other verbs expressing emotions and reflections, like 想 (xiǎng - to think) and 知道 (zhī dào - to know). Focus on using it in sentences that discuss past decisions to build fluency in expressing feelings.

Cultural Note

Regret is a common theme in Chinese storytelling and literature, often reflecting the idea of fate and the consequences of one's actions. The concept of 'regret' can be seen in traditional sayings, emphasizing the importance of making wise choices.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 后悔 with 忏悔 (chàn huǐ), which means to confess one's sins. For example, saying '我忏悔没有去' instead of '我后悔没有去' is incorrect unless discussing a confession.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 后悔

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Component Characters

后hòuempress
HSK 16 strokes口
View full entry
悔huǐto regret
10 strokes忄
View full entry

Write 后悔

后
悔

Practice writing 后悔 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 后悔

后悔 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

既然你已经决定了，就不要____。

Since you've already decided, don't regret it.

Example Sentences for 后悔 (9)

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1
经过反省，他说自己对所作的评论感到非常后悔。

jīng guò fǎn shěng， ， tā shuō zì jǐ duì suǒ zuò de píng lùn gǎn dào fēi cháng hòu。

On reflection, he says, he very much regrets the comments.
2
5年后她对当初放弃自己的家感到后悔。

5 5 nián hòu tā duì dāng chū fàng qì zì jǐ de jiā gǎn dào hòu。

Five years later she regrets having given up her home.
3
滚回那边去，否则你会后悔的。

gǔn huí nà biān qù， ， fǒu zé nǐ huì hòu huǐ。

Get back in there, or you'llbe sorry.
4
我一说完这话就后悔了——我都想抽自己。

wǒ yī shuō wán zhè huà jiù hòu huǐ le—— —— wǒ dū xiǎng chōu zì。

I immediately regretted having said this— I could have kicked myself.
5
达伦后悔射杀了那只鸟.

dá lún hòu huǐ shè shā le nà zhī niǎo.

Darren repented having shot the bird.
6
球队主教练说：“托尼挨了一顿狠批，现在已经后悔自己的所作所为了。”

qiú duì zhǔ jiào liàn shuō：“ ：“ tuō ní āi le yī dùn hěn， pī ， xiàn zài yǐ jīng hòu huǐ zì jǐ de suǒ zuò suǒ。”

The team manager said: "Tony has had a good talking-to and regrets his action".
7
牛奶泼地,哭也无用.事已如此,后悔无益.

niú nǎi pō dì, , kū yě wú. yòng . shì yǐ, rú cǐ , hòu.

It's no good [ use ] crying spilt milk.
8
勿轻易许诺(以免后悔).

wù qīng yì xǔ nuò( ( yǐ miǎn hòu).

Don't make rash promises, ie ones you may regret.
9
他意识到了那番话的恶毒，马上就对伤害她感到非常后悔。

tā yì shí dào le nà fān huà de è dú， ， mǎ shàng jiù duì shāng hài tā gǎn dào fēi cháng hòu。

He realized the unkindness of the remark and immediately regretted having hurt her with it.

Cultural Notes for 后悔

🏮Cultural insight

Regret is a common theme in Chinese storytelling and literature, often reflecting the idea of fate and the consequences of one's actions. The concept of 'regret' can be seen in traditional sayings, emphasizing the importance of making wise choices.

Frequently Asked Questions about 后悔

You can say '我后悔没有去参加那个活动' (I regret not attending that event).