regret
regret — 名詞
1. a sad feeling that comes when you realize something bad has happened, you have m
悔意；遺憾
因過去錯誤或不幸而感到難過
a sad feeling that comes when you realize something bad has happened, you have made a mistake, or things could have been better — often with a wish to undo what was done
Talia felt deep regret after shouting at her younger brother.
Talia 對弟弟大吼之後，感到深深的後悔。
collocation: deep regret
A strong sense of regret filled Ignacio when he missed the chance to study abroad.
Ignacio 發現自己錯過了出國留學的機會時，心中充滿了強烈的遺憾。
The committee expressed its regret over the cancellation of the festival.
委員會對活動取消表達了遺憾。
Selling her grandmother's necklace was a decision full of regret.
賣掉祖母的項鍊是一個充滿後悔的決定。
With great regret, the director announced the closure of the children's hospital wing.
主任懷著極大的遺憾，宣布關閉兒童醫院的病房。
- remorse
stronger; implies guilt for a specific wrong you have done
- sorrow
more general sadness; not necessarily tied to a personal mistake
- contrition
formal and often religious; focused on repentance
- satisfaction
a feeling of being pleased with what happened
- contentment
a peaceful feeling that things are as they should be
用法筆記
Often modified by adjectives that signal how strong the feeling is: 'deep regret', 'great regret', 'bitter regret'. This sense is also used in set phrases such as 'much to my regret' and 'with deep regret'.
常見錯誤
2. a polite message sent to someone who has invited you, saying that you cannot att
婉拒；致歉
禮貌地回覆無法出席邀請
a polite message sent to someone who has invited you, saying that you cannot attend
Helen sent her regrets to the wedding invitation because she was travelling that weekend.
Helen 因為那個週末要外出旅行，所以對婚禮邀請回覆婉拒。
fixed phrase: send (one's) regrets
Those who cannot attend the meeting should give their regrets by Friday.
無法出席會議的人請在週五前回覆無法參加。
fixed phrase: give (one's) regrets
Faisal received polite regrets from several colleagues who had other plans.
Faisal 收到幾位同事的禮貌婉拒，表示他們已有其他安排。
Mira wrote a brief note of regret to the conference organisers.
Mira 寫了一封簡短的致歉信給會議主辦單位。
- refusal
more direct and less polite than 'regrets'
- declination
very formal, but rare in everyday use
- acceptance
agreeing to attend
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed expressions 'give your regrets' or 'send your regrets'. The singular form 'regret' is not used in this sense; it is always 'regrets'. Typical in written invitations, formal correspondence, and RSVP contexts.
常見錯誤
regret — 動詞
1. to feel sorry that something happened or that you did something, especially beca
後悔；遺憾
對做過的事或發生的事感到難過
to feel sorry that something happened or that you did something, especially because it was a mistake or because it caused harm — for example, regretting a sharp comment you made to a friend, or regretting that you chose the wrong career path
Rachid immediately regretted his harsh words to the new intern.
Rachid 馬上就後悔對新來的實習生說了那些尖銳的話。
regret + noun phrase (object is something said or done)
Anong regrets not learning to play the piano when she was younger.
Anong 後悔年輕時沒有學彈鋼琴。
regret + -ing (for past inaction)
The school board now regrets that it cut funding for the music programme.
學校董事會現在對刪減音樂課程的經費感到後悔。
We regret to inform you that your application has not been successful.
我們很遺憾地通知您，您的申請未能通過。
Lisa regretted taking on more work than she could handle.
Lisa 後悔接了超出自己負荷的工作。
文法句型
regret + noun phrase
regret + -ing form
regret + that-clause
regret + to-infinitive (formal, in fixed phrases)
用法筆記
Two important patterns: (1) 'regret + -ing' refers to a completed action you wish you had not done — 'I regret leaving my job.' (2) 'regret to + infinitive' is a fixed formal expression used when giving bad news — 'We regret to announce that the flight is cancelled.' Do not use 'regret to + infinitive' for personal regrets about past actions.
常見錯誤
2. to feel sad because someone or something is no longer part of your life — for ex
懷念；惋惜
因失去某人或某事物而感傷
to feel sad because someone or something is no longer part of your life — for example, regretting a friend who has moved away, or regretting the cheerful mornings you used to have
Sora regretted the quiet streets of his old hometown after moving to the noisy city.
搬到喧鬧的城市後，Sora 很懷念老家那安靜的街道。
The team deeply regretted the loss of their coach after she retired.
教練退休後，球隊全體隊員都深感惋惜。
collocation: deeply regret; regret the loss of someone
Élise regretted the warm afternoons she used to spend in her grandmother's garden.
Élise 懷念從前在祖母花園裡度過的那些溫暖午後。
Old Mr Chen regretted the lively conversations he once had with his neighbours.
陳老先生懷念從前和鄰居們熱絡聊天的時光。
- welcome
to be pleased about a new situation or arrival
文法句型
regret + someone
regret + something
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with 'miss', but 'regret' is more formal and literary. 'Miss' is the everyday word for this feeling. 'Regret' in this sense often carries a tone of wistfulness or nostalgia rather than guilt.