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March 24, 2026
恨hèn(hen4)
The character 恨 (hèn) means 'to hate' or 'to resent'. It often conveys a strong emotional response towards someone or something that causes pain or disappointment. Commonly used in contexts of personal relationships, it can also express regret over past actions or decisions.
Strokes9Radical忄Frequency#985DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing hate is often more restrained compared to Western cultures; it may be seen as a sign of weakness. Instead, people might express discontent or disappointment in a more subtle way, reflecting the value placed on harmony and face-saving.
Memory Tip
Imagine a heart (the radical 心, which means 'heart' or 'mind') filled with dark clouds representing hate. The character 恨 has the heart radical at the bottom, indicating that hate stems from deep emotions. Visualize a person holding a heavy stone labeled 'regret', symbolizing the burdensome feelings that accompany hate.
Meanings of 恨
hèn(hen4)
1to hate
2to regret
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 恨
恨Simplified
9Strokes
忄Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#985Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 恨
Podcast: 恨
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AI Study Notes for 恨
Quick Contrast
恨 (hèn) vs 嫌 (xián): Choose 恨 when expressing deep hatred or resentment, while 嫌 conveys a sense of dislike or disdain that is less intense.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a heart (the radical 心, which means 'heart' or 'mind') filled with dark clouds representing hate. The character 恨 has the heart radical at the bottom, indicating that hate stems from deep emotions. Visualize a person holding a heavy stone labeled 'regret', symbolizing the burdensome feelings that accompany hate.
Usage Notes
Learners should be cautious not to confuse 恨 with similar words like 嫌 (xián), which means 'to dislike'. It is generally used in informal contexts when expressing personal feelings but can be used in literary contexts as well. Make sure to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing hèn can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 5, 恨 is relevant in discussing emotions and relationships. Students should focus on using it in sentences that express feelings or regrets, linking it with other emotional vocabulary learned at this level, such as 喜欢 (xǐhuān, to like) and 爱 (ài, to love).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing hate is often more restrained compared to Western cultures; it may be seen as a sign of weakness. Instead, people might express discontent or disappointment in a more subtle way, reflecting the value placed on harmony and face-saving.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 恨 with 嫌 (xián) when expressing dislike. For example, saying '我恨这个' (Wǒ hèn zhège, 'I hate this') can be too strong in casual contexts; instead, use '我不喜欢这个' (Wǒ bù xǐhuān zhège, 'I don't like this').
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 恨
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Grammar Patterns of 恨
恨 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 3 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.
"I absolutely hated school," Rachel says. "I skived off all the time."
7
他们急切地想要表明自己对种族主义的憎恨。
tā mén jí qiē dì xiǎng yào biǎo míng zì jǐ duì zhǒng zú zhǔ yì de zēng hèn。
They are anxious to show their abhorrence of racism.
8
她虽说仇恨他们，但绝不至于去杀人。
tā suī shuō chóu hèn tā mén， ， dàn jué bù zhì yú qù shā。
Her hatred of them would never lead her to murder.
9
她表达了对被一位社工采访的愤恨。
tā biǎo dá le duì bèi yī wèi shè gōng cǎi fǎng de fèn hèn。
She expressed resentment at being interviewed by a social worker.
10
对种族主义的憎恨促使他写了《阿尔及尔汽车旅馆事件》一书。
duì zhǒng zú zhǔ yì de zēng hèn cù shǐ tā xiě le《 《 ā ěr jí ěr qì chē lǚ guǎn shì》 jiàn 》。
His abhorrence of racism led him to write The Algiers Motel Incident.
Cultural Notes for 恨
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing hate is often more restrained compared to Western cultures; it may be seen as a sign of weakness. Instead, people might express discontent or disappointment in a more subtle way, reflecting the value placed on harmony and face-saving.
Word Family of 恨
Words Containing This Character20
恨hènto hate
仇恨chóuhènto hate
憎恨to detest
恨不得hènbudewishing one could do sth
怨恨yuànhènto resent
痛恨to detest
悔恨huǐhènremorse
可恨hateful
愤恨to hate憤恨
恨之入骨to hate sb to the bone (idiom)
怀恨to nurse hatred懷恨
记恨to bear grudges記恨
相见恨晚It feels like we have known each other all along.相見恨晚
怀恨在心to harbor hard feelings懷恨在心
恨铁不成钢lit. to hate iron for not becoming steel恨鐵不成鋼
嫉恨to resent
饮恨to nurse a grievance飲恨
报仇雪恨to take revenge and wipe out a grudge (idiom)報仇雪恨
恨透to hate bitterly
遗恨eternal regret遺恨
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 恨 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 恨
恨 (hèn) implies a much stronger emotion than 讨厌 (tǎoyàn), which means 'to dislike.' While 讨厌 can indicate mild annoyance, 恨 conveys deep feelings of hate or resentment.
Generally, 恨 has a negative connotation and is used to express strong dislike or regret. However, in certain contexts, it can be used humorously or sarcastically, but it's best to be cautious when using it in such ways.
恨 (hèn) translates to 'hate' in English. It can also convey feelings of regret or resentment. This character is often used to express strong negative emotions towards someone or something.
You can use 恨 in sentences to express your feelings, such as '我恨他' (wǒ hèn tā) which means 'I hate him.' It can also be used in a more regretful context like '我恨我没有去' (wǒ hèn wǒ méiyǒu qù) meaning 'I regret not going.'
恨 is mainly used informally when expressing strong personal feelings, but can also appear in literature.
Yes, but be aware that 恨 carries a stronger emotional weight than simple dislike.
Common phrases include 恨不得 (hènbude, to wish one could) and 恨死 (hènsǐ, to hate to death).
