French Conversation · Level 44
75 words
French word
regretter
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁəgʁete/
Meaning
- verbregret
Example
J'ai regretté de ne pas y être allé.
I regretted not going there.
More examples
Il regrette de ne pas avoir étudié plus tôt.
He regrets not having studied earlier.
Core concept
A person looks toward a closed door behind them and feels the cost of what happened, did not happen, or is no longer present.
Common phrases
regretter de + infinitif
regret doing ___
regretter son choix
regret one's choice
Similar words
s'en vouloir: To reproach oneself for an action and feel regret over it.
manquer: To feel the absence of someone or something and wish for its presence.
Definition in French
Éprouver de la peine ou du regret à cause d'une action, d'une absence ou d'une décision, souvent exprimé par «je regrette» suivi d'un complément.
Word origin
Old French formed regretter from regret by adding the common verb ending -er, preserving the noun's connection with painful reflection on loss or a past event.
Usage tips
- Regretter que is normally followed by the subjunctive, as in Je regrette qu'il soit absent.
Other meanings
- be sorryverb
- missverb
Opposites
- se réjouirrejoiceverb
Related words
- regretregretnoun
- regrettableregrettableadjective