German word

bereuen

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈʁɔɪ̯ən/

Meaning

  • verbregret

Example

Ich bereue meine Entscheidung.

I regret my decision.

Illustration for bereuen (regret)

More examples

Viele Jahre später bereute er seine Entscheidung.

Many years later, he regretted his decision.

Core concept

A past choice or deed remains painful in the mind, with a strong wish that it had not happened.

Common phrases

  • eine Entscheidung bereuen

    regret a decision

  • seinen Fehler bereuen

    regret one's mistake

Similar words

leid tun: To express sorrow for having caused someone trouble or sadness.
bedauern: To feel sorry about something that happened or an unfortunate result.
sich entschuldigen: To apologize for an action and ask the affected person for forgiveness.
sich schuldig fühlen: To feel responsible for something done and burdened by guilt.

Definition in German

Starkes Bedauern über eine konkrete Entscheidung oder Handlung ausdrücken; steht mit dem Akkusativ.

Word origin

Bereuen combines the prefix be- with the older verb reuen, which goes back to Old High German riuwan and developed the meaning of feeling remorse for something.

Usage tips

  • Bereuen takes a direct accusative object, as in "Ich bereue meine Entscheidung", rather than a reflexive pronoun.

Other meanings

  • repentverb

Opposites

Related words

  • die Reueremorsenoun
  • reumütigremorsefuladjective

Word lists with this word