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March 24, 2026
遗憾(遺憾)yíhàn(yi2han4)
遗憾 (yí hàn) refers to a feeling of regret or sorrow about something that has happened or an opportunity that has been missed. It is commonly used in both personal and formal contexts to express disappointment or a sense of loss, often reflecting on past decisions or events.
Strokes28Frequency#1143DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing 遗憾 is often tied to the concept of 'face' (面子), where acknowledging regret can be a way to show humility and sincerity, especially in formal settings. This reflects the importance of interpersonal relationships and the emotional weight of missed opportunities.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing in front of a beautiful painting that they missed the chance to buy, feeling a deep sense of regret. The character 遗 (yí) resembles someone reaching out to grab something that slipped away, while 憾 (hàn) can be visualized as a heartache over lost chances, helping you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 遗憾
yíhàn(yi2han4)
1regret
2to regret
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About 遗憾
遗憾Simplified
遺憾Traditional
28Strokes
—Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#1143Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 遗憾
Podcast: 遗憾
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AI Study Notes for 遗憾
Quick Contrast
遗憾 (yíhàn) vs 失望 (shīwàng): Use 遗憾 when expressing regret about a missed opportunity, while 失望 conveys disappointment about unmet expectations.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone; '遗' is pronounced with a rising tone (2nd tone), while '憾' is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone). Common collocations include '感到遗憾' (to feel regret) and '令人遗憾' (regrettable). It is typically used in formal or serious discussions rather than casual conversations.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 遗憾 connects with other emotional vocabulary, such as '悲伤' (bēi shāng, sadness) and '后悔' (hòu huǐ, to regret). Focus on using it in context to express feelings and improve your ability to discuss personal experiences or reflections.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 遗憾 with 后悔. For example, saying '我遗憾我做错了' (I regret that I did wrong) is incorrect; it should be '我后悔我做错了'. Additionally, mixing up the tones can lead to misunderstandings.
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Pronunciation of 遗憾
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遗憾 (yí hàn) refers to a feeling of regret or sorrow about something that has happened or an opportunity that has been missed. It is commonly used in both personal and formal contexts to express disappointment or a sense of loss, often reflecting on past decisions or events.
When to use 遗憾
Be cautious with the tone; '遗' is pronounced with a rising tone (2nd tone), while '憾' is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone). Common collocations include '感到遗憾' (to feel regret) and '令人遗憾' (regrettable). It is typically used in formal or serious discussions rather than casual conversations.
遗憾 or something close to it
遗憾 (yíhàn) vs 失望 (shīwàng): Use 遗憾 when expressing regret about a missed opportunity, while 失望 conveys disappointment about unmet expectations.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 遗憾 with 后悔. For example, saying '我遗憾我做错了' (I regret that I did wrong) is incorrect; it should be '我后悔我做错了'. Additionally, mixing up the tones can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 遗憾
遗
憾
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Grammar Patterns of 遗憾
遗憾 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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.
