lamento
/la-MEN-to/
lament
As a noun, 'lamento' means a passionate expression of grief or sorrow, or a deep regret.
lamento(Noun)
lament
?a passionate expression of grief or sorrow
,regret
?a feeling of sadness about something that has happened
complaint
?an expression of dissatisfaction
,moan
?a low sound of pain or grief
📝 In Action
Su carta era un lamento por las oportunidades perdidas.
B2Her letter was a lament for lost opportunities.
Se oía el lamento del viento entre los árboles.
B1The moan of the wind could be heard through the trees.
Tras la derrota, solo había silencio y lamentos en el vestuario.
B2After the defeat, there was only silence and regrets in the locker room.
⭐ Usage Tips
More Than Just Sadness
Think of 'un lamento' as a stronger, more poetic word than just 'sadness'. It's often used for deep regrets, complaints about injustice, or sorrowful sounds, like a howl or a sad song.
As the first-person singular present tense of the verb 'lamentar', 'lamento' means 'I regret' or 'I am sorry (formally).'
lamento(Verb)
I regret
?expressing sadness about a situation or action
,I'm sorry
?a more formal way to apologize or give bad news
I lament
?a more literary or intense way to express grief
📝 In Action
Lamento informarle que su vuelo ha sido cancelado.
B1I regret to inform you that your flight has been canceled.
Lamento mucho no haberte llamado antes.
B1I'm very sorry I didn't call you sooner.
Lamento que te sientas así.
B2I'm sorry that you feel that way.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Lamentar que' + a Special Verb Form
When you say you regret that someone else does something, the verb that follows 'que' changes its ending. This special form is called the subjunctive. For example: 'Lamento que estés triste.' (I'm sorry that you are sad.)
❌ Common Pitfalls
Formal Regret vs. Everyday Apology
Mistake: "Using 'lamento' when you bump into someone on the street."
Correction: For small, everyday apologies, use 'perdón' or 'lo siento'. Save 'lamento' for more serious regrets or formal situations, like saying 'I regret to inform you...'
⭐ Usage Tips
Sounding Formal and Polite
'Lamento' is a great way to sound very polite and serious when delivering bad news or expressing sincere regret. It's often used in business or official communications.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: lamento
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'lamento' in the most natural and common way?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'lamento' and 'lo siento'?
Think of it like this: 'Lo siento' is more common and versatile for general apologies ('I'm sorry'). You can use it for anything from spilling a drink to hearing about a friend's bad day. 'Lamento' is stronger and more formal. It means 'I regret' and is used for deep, sincere regret or in formal announcements, like 'I regret to inform you...'
Can I use 'lamento' as a noun and a verb in the same sentence?
Yes, you can, though it might sound a bit poetic or repetitive. For example: 'Lamento este lamento, pero es lo que siento.' (I regret this lament, but it's what I feel.) It's grammatically correct but not very common in everyday speech.