Spanish word

arrepentir

Pronunciation

IPA/arepenˈtiɾ/

Meaning

  • verbregret

Example

Me voy a arrepentir si no voy.

I'm going to regret it if I don't go.

Illustration for arrepentir (regret)

More examples

Podrías arrepentirte de no intentarlo.

You might regret not trying.

Core concept

Person holding head in hands remembering a past decision.

Common phrases

  • arrepentirse de algo

    feel regret about something

  • arrepentirse de haber perdido una oportunidad

    regret having missed an opportunity

Similar words

arrepentirse: Come to feel sorry about a past choice or action, experienced inwardly.
disculparse: Make an apology to someone for a mistake or hurtful behavior.
lamentar: Feel sorrow or disappointment about an event or result, focusing on the outcome.

Definition in Spanish

Sentir que una acción fue equivocada y lamentar su resultado, frecuentemente usado en primera persona reflexiva: 'me arrepiento'.

Word origin

Arrepentir derives from Latin paenitēre meaning 'to feel remorse' and comes into Spanish through medieval Romance forms.

Usage tips

  • The verb commonly appears reflexive as arrepentirse and usually takes de before the thing regretted, and arrepentir often implies personal fault while lamentar expresses neutral sorrow.

Other meanings

  • feel remorseverb
  • be sorryverb

Opposites

  • alegrarserejoiceverb

Related words

Word lists with this word