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March 24, 2026
憾hàn(han4)
The character 憾 (hàn) conveys a deep sense of regret or remorse, often relating to feelings of loss or dissatisfaction. It is commonly used in both personal contexts, such as expressing disappointment over missed opportunities, and in formal settings, like discussions about past actions in literature or speeches.
Strokes16Radical忄Frequency#21329DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing regret is often tied to the Confucian principle of reflecting on one's actions and the impact they have on others. This character is used in formal apologies and discussions about moral responsibility.
Memory Tip
Imagine a heart (心) that feels heavy with regret (憾) because it missed out on a joyful experience. The radical 心 (heart) is a key component, symbolizing emotional weight, while the remaining components suggest the complexity of these feelings.
Meanings of 憾
hàn(han4)
1regret (sense of loss or dissatisfaction)
2regret, remorse
Exercise 1 of 3
By ear
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About 憾
憾Simplified
16Strokes
忄Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#21329Frequency Rank
Podcast: 憾
Podcast: 憾
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AI Study Notes for 憾
Quick Contrast
遗憾 (yí hàn) vs 懊悔 (ào huǐ) — use 憾 (hàn) for a more formal or literary expression of regret, while 遗憾 (yí hàn) is often used in everyday contexts and 懊悔 (ào huǐ) emphasizes personal remorse.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 憾 with similar words that might imply different types of regret or dissatisfaction. It is more formal than casual expressions of regret, so it's best used in serious contexts. Common collocations include '感到遗憾' (to feel regret).
HSK Study Tips
While 憾 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with other emotional vocabulary at the same level, such as 悲伤 (sadness) and 失望 (disappointment). Students should focus on the emotional nuances and contexts where this character is appropriate.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 憾 with 后悔, thinking they are interchangeable. For example, saying '我憾这个决定' is incorrect; the correct form is '我后悔这个决定' (I regret this decision).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 憾
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Knowing 憾 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
憾 = 忄 + 感. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 憾
IDS Structure⿰忄感
憾Full Character
=
忄xin1
left
感gan3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 憾?
How to say regret (sense of loss or dissatisfaction) in Chinese
“regret (sense of loss or dissatisfaction)” in Chinese is憾hàn
The character 憾 (hàn) conveys a deep sense of regret or remorse, often relating to feelings of loss or dissatisfaction. It is commonly used in both personal contexts, such as expressing disappointment over missed opportunities, and in formal settings, like discussions about past actions in literature or speeches.
When to use 憾
Be careful not to confuse 憾 with similar words that might imply different types of regret or dissatisfaction. It is more formal than casual expressions of regret, so it's best used in serious contexts. Common collocations include '感到遗憾' (to feel regret).
憾 or something close to it
遗憾 (yí hàn) vs 懊悔 (ào huǐ) — use 憾 (hàn) for a more formal or literary expression of regret, while 遗憾 (yí hàn) is often used in everyday contexts and 懊悔 (ào huǐ) emphasizes personal remorse.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 憾 with 后悔, thinking they are interchangeable. For example, saying '我憾这个决定' is incorrect; the correct form is '我后悔这个决定' (I regret this decision).
Write 憾
憾
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Grammar Patterns of 憾
憾 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
遗____的是，过于简单的情节使得这部电影差强人意。
Sadly, the film is let down by an excessively simple plot.
Common Confusions with 憾
憾vs憨
hān
Similar sound but different meaning and usage
憾vs汉
hàn
Same pronunciation but different meaning
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “regret (sense of loss or dissatisfaction)”?
or
Example Sentences for 憾 (10)
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1
遗憾的是，过于简单的情节使得这部电影差强人意。
yí hàn de shì， ， guò yú jiǎn dān de qíng jié shǐ dé zhè bù diàn yǐng chà qiáng rén。
Sadly, the film is let down by an excessively simple plot.
2
遗憾的是，这个快乐的故事结局却比较伤感。
yí hàn de shì， ， zhè gè kuài lè de gù shì jié jú què bǐ jiào shāng。
Unfortunately, this happy story finishes on a more sombre note.
3
“恐怕他生病了。”——“真是遗憾。”
“ “ kǒng pà tā shēng bìng。”——“ le 。”——“ zhēn shì。”
"I'm afraid he's ill." — "I'm sorry to hear that."
4
我很遗憾，这几乎完全是一厢情愿的想法。
wǒ hěn yí hàn， ， zhè jī hū wán quán shì yī xiāng qíng yuàn de xiǎng。
This, I am sorry to say, is almost entirely wishful thinking.
5
很遗憾，他在五六年前去世了。
hěn yí hàn， ， tā zài wǔ liù nián qián qù shì。
He died five or six years ago I'm sad to say.
6
开罗对此次攻击表示遗憾。
kāi luó duì cǐ cì gōng jī biǎo shì yí hàn。
From Cairo came expressions of regret at the attack.
7
很遗憾，我们不得不让住户挤在这些狭小的公寓里。
hěn yí hàn， ， wǒ mén bù dé bù ràng zhù hù jǐ zài zhè xiē xiá xiǎo de gōng yù。
Regrettably we have to house families in these inadequate flats.
8
埃莉诺不得不这么快就离开，真是太遗憾了。
āi lì nuò bù dé bù zhè mó kuài jiù lí kāi， ， zhēn shì tài yí hàn。
It is too bad that Eleanor had to leave so soon.
9
“太遗憾了，”格雷厄姆略带挖苦地说道。
“ “ tài yí hàn，” le ，” gé léi è mǔ lüè dài wā kǔ dì。
"What a pity," Graham said with a hint of sarcasm.
10
遗憾的是，这座房屋在1828年的火灾中大部分被烧毁。
yí hàn de shì， ， zhè zuò fáng wū1828 zài 1828 nián de huǒ zāi zhōng dà bù fēn bèi。
Sadly, most of the house was destroyed by fire in
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Word Family of 憾
Words Containing This Character5
遗憾yíhànregret遺憾
憾hànregret (sense of loss or dissatisfaction)
缺憾a regret
憾事a matter for regret
引以为憾to consider sth regrettable (idiom)引以為憾
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 憾
What does 遗憾 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 憾
Some synonyms for 憾 include 遗憾 (yíhàn), which means 'regret' or 'remorse,' and 失望 (shīwàng), meaning 'disappointment.' These words can convey similar feelings of dissatisfaction or sorrow regarding past events.
In Chinese literature, 憾 is often used to express profound feelings of loss or unfulfilled dreams. It can appear in poetry and prose to evoke deep emotional responses, reflecting on the human condition and the nature of regret.
憾 (hàn) refers to a sense of regret or remorse, often associated with feelings of loss or dissatisfaction. It can be used in various contexts, such as expressing disappointment over missed opportunities or unfulfilled desires.
You can use 憾 in a sentence to express regret, for example: '我对这个结果感到很憾' (Wǒ duì zhège jiéguǒ gǎndào hěn hàn), meaning 'I feel regret about this outcome.' It is often used to convey a deep emotional response to a situation.
You can say '我对这个结果感到遗憾' which means 'I feel regret about this outcome.'
It is more frequently used in formal situations rather than casual conversations.
While both convey regret, 憾 often implies a deeper emotional weight, while 后悔 (hòuhuǐ) is more about wishing one had acted differently.
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