French word

regret

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁəgʁɛ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounregret

Example

Je n'ai aucun regret.

I have no regrets.

Illustration for regret (regret)

More examples

Il a montré du regret.

He showed regret.

Core concept

A weight carried from a past choice, with a wish that the outcome had been different.

Common phrases

  • avoir des regrets

    have regrets

  • sans regret

    without regret

Similar words

remords: Deep guilt and regret for one's own conduct.
peine: Sadness or distress that weighs heavily on the mind.
tristesse: A subdued state of sadness caused by a sad event.

Definition in French

Sentiment de chagrin ou de remords causé par une action ou une omission passée, accompagné du désir que les choses aient été différentes.

Word origin

French regret descends from Old French regret, a noun related to regretter, and retains the older sense of sorrow about a past event.

Usage tips

  • Regret is masculine, so standard forms include un regret, aucun regret, and sans regret.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word