Japanese word

無念

Pronunciation

Romajimunen

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveregret

Example

力を出し切れず、無念です。chikara o da shi ki re zu mu nen de su

I regret not being able to give it my all.

Illustration for 無念 (regret)

More examples

結果を受け入れましたが、無念な気持ちは消えませんでした。kek ka o u ke i re ma shi ta ga mu nen na ki mo chi wa ki e ma se n de shi ta

I accepted the result, but my regret did not go away.

Core concept

Describes the bitter feeling that remains when earnest effort ends without the hoped-for result.

Common phrases

  • 無念な思いmu nen na omo i

    a feeling of regret

Similar words

残念zannen: A feeling of disappointment when a desired result does not occur.
心残りkokoronokori: A lingering regret about something unfinished or not fully achieved.
遺憾ikan: A formal expression of regret about an undesirable result or situation.

Definition in Japanese

思いどおりに事が運ばず、残念で悔しく思うさま。omo i dō ri ni koto ga hako ba zu zan nen de kuya shi ku omo u sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 無念 (munen) combines 無 (mu, "without") and 念 (nen, "thought or feeling"); it also has a Buddhist sense of freedom from thought and a modern sense of deep regret.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 無念です (munen desu) sounds more formal and weighty than ordinary regret, and often marks disappointment over an effort that falls short rather than guilt over wrongdoing.

Other meanings

  • chagrinnoun
  • frustrationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 無念さmunensaregretnoun

Word lists with this word