Chinese Character: 悔
1. Character Basics
Radical: 忄 (xīn) - Heart/mind radical
Stroke Count: 10 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Huǐ (Third tone)
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning
Regret; repent; be sorry
Extended Meanings
- Remorse; contrition; guilt
- To feel sorry for
- To repent of
Additional Notes
The character "悔" combines the heart radical with "每", suggesting the feeling of regret that comes from reflecting on past actions. It expresses the emotional response when one realizes they have made a mistake.
4. Common Words
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后悔 (hòuhuǐ) - Regret
Example: 我后悔没听你的话。 (I regret not listening to you.)
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悔恨 (huǐhèn) - Regret and hate
Example: 他心中充满了悔恨。 (His heart is filled with regret and self-reproach.)
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悔悟 (huǐwù) - Repent and realize
Example: 他终于悔悟了自己的错误。 (He finally repented and realized his mistake.)
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悔不当初 (huǐbùdāngchū) - Regret not having done otherwise
Example: 现在他悔不当初没有好好学习。 (Now he regrets not having studied hard before.)
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忏悔 (chànhuǐ) - Confess and repent
Example: 他在神父面前忏悔。 (He confessed and repented before the priest.)
5. Grammar & Usage
Part of Speech
Can be used as a verb or noun
Common Usage
- Most commonly used as a verb to express regret for past actions
- Often combined with other characters to form compound verbs related to regret
- Can be used as a noun to refer to the feeling of regret
Common Structures
- 后悔 + 做某事: 后悔做了这个决定 (regret making this decision)
- 感到 + 后悔: 我感到很后悔 (I feel very regretful)
- 悔 + 不 + 当初: 悔不当初 (regret not having done otherwise)
Usage Notes
When used as a verb, "悔" is usually followed by a complement or object that specifies the action or situation being regretted.
6. Cultural Background
Concept of Regret in Chinese Philosophy
In Chinese philosophy, particularly Confucianism, the emotion of regret (悔) is seen as an important part of moral self-cultivation. It represents the ability to reflect on one's actions and recognize mistakes, which is essential for personal growth and improvement.
Cultural Expressions
The character "悔" appears in many Chinese idioms and proverbs that reflect cultural attitudes towards regret and learning from mistakes. For example, "亡羊补牢，犹未为晚" (Wáng yáng bǔ láo, yóu wèi wéi wǎn) means "It's never too late to mend," emphasizing that it's better to correct a mistake late than never.
Ethical Implications
Traditional Chinese ethics place great importance on the ability to feel regret and to make amends for past wrongs. This reflects the cultural value of taking responsibility for one's actions and striving for moral excellence.
7. Example Sentence
Example 1:
我永远不会后悔认识你。
(I will never regret knowing you.)
Example 2:
如果你现在不努力，将来一定会后悔。
(If you don't work hard now, you will surely regret it in the future.)
Example 3:
亡羊补牢，犹未为晚。
(It's never too late to mend.)
8. Memory Tips
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Component Analysis:
悔 is composed of 忄 (heart/mind radical) and 每 (each/every). This combination suggests the feeling of regret that comes with each reflection on past actions.
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Sound Association:
The pronunciation "huǐ" sounds similar to the English word "hue" but with a descending tone. You can associate it with the expression "Whoa!" when realizing a mistake.
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Image Association:
Picture someone with their hand on their heart, looking down with a sad or thoughtful expression, which represents the emotion of regret.
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Word Association:
Connect "悔" with related words: 后悔 (regret), 悔恨 (regret and hate), 悔悟 (repent and realize), 悔不当初 (regret not having done otherwise).
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Sentence Mnemonic:
Remember the simple sentence: "我后悔了" (I regret it). This directly connects the character with its core meaning of feeling regret.