Inklingo

How to Say "regret" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “regret” is “arrepentimiento” — use this when you feel a general sense of wishing you had acted differently, often involving guilt or a desire to undo an action.

arrepentimiento🔊B1

Use this when you feel a general sense of wishing you had acted differently, often involving guilt or a desire to undo an action.

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remordimiento🔊B1

This specifically refers to the feeling of guilt or unease about a past action, implying a strong sense of having done something wrong.

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pesar🔊C1

Use this for a deep feeling of sorrow or disappointment, often about a significant loss or a situation with serious consequences.

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lamento🔊B1

This translates to 'lament' and is used for expressing sadness or grief over something that has happened, especially lost opportunities or a past event.

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lástima🔊A2

This word means 'pity' and is used when you feel sorry for someone's unfortunate situation, rather than regretting your own actions.

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English → Spanish

arrepentimiento

ah-rreh-pehn-tee-myehn-toharepentiˈmjento

nounB1general
Use this when you feel a general sense of wishing you had acted differently, often involving guilt or a desire to undo an action.
A sad character sitting alone on a wooden bench, looking down at a broken toy on the ground.

Examples

Siento mucho arrepentimiento por haberle gritado.

I feel a lot of regret for having shouted at him.

Sus lágrimas eran una señal de arrepentimiento sincero.

Her tears were a sign of sincere remorse.

Él no mostró ningún arrepentimiento ante el juez.

He didn't show any regret before the judge.

Masculine Ending

This word ends in '-miento', which is a very common way to turn a verb into a noun. Almost all words ending in '-miento' are masculine, so you will always use 'el' or 'un'.

Noun vs. Verb

Use 'arrepentimiento' when you want to name the feeling itself. If you want to say 'I regret,' you need the action word: 'Me arrepiento'.

Confusing with 'remordimiento'

Mistake: “Using 'remordimiento' to mean a simple change of mind.”

Correction: Use 'arrepentimiento' for general regret. 'Remordimiento' is much heavier and implies a deep, painful 'stinging' of the conscience.

remordimiento

re-mor-dee-myehn-tohremoɾðiˈmjento

nounB1general
This specifically refers to the feeling of guilt or unease about a past action, implying a strong sense of having done something wrong.
A child sitting on the floor looking sadly at a broken ceramic flower vase.

Examples

No siento ningún remordimiento por mi decisión.

I don't feel any remorse for my decision.

El remordimiento no le dejaba dormir por las noches.

Remorse didn't let him sleep at night.

Comió todo el pastel y ahora tiene remordimientos.

He ate the whole cake and now he has feelings of guilt.

It's a Naming Word (Noun)

Unlike 'regret' in English, which can be an action (to regret), 'remordimiento' is only a noun. To express the action, use the verb 'arrepentirse'.

Using the Plural Form

Spanish speakers often use the plural 'remordimientos' to describe a general feeling of guilt or multiple 'pangs' of conscience.

Don't use it as a verb

Mistake: “Yo remordimiento mi error.”

Correction: Siento remordimiento por mi error (I feel remorse) or Me arrepiento de mi error (I regret my mistake).

pesar

peh-SAHRpeˈsaɾ

nounC1formal
Use this for a deep feeling of sorrow or disappointment, often about a significant loss or a situation with serious consequences.
A solitary cartoon character standing under a small, dark rain cloud that is lightly dripping water, symbolizing deep sadness.

Examples

Su rostro reflejaba un gran pesar.

His face reflected great sorrow.

Fue con mucho pesar que aceptaron la derrota.

It was with great regret that they accepted the defeat.

The Expression 'A pesar de'

The noun 'pesar' is most frequently encountered as part of the prepositional phrase 'a pesar de' (despite/in spite of), which is an essential B1 phrase.

lamento

la-MEN-tolaˈmento

nounB1general
This translates to 'lament' and is used for expressing sadness or grief over something that has happened, especially lost opportunities or a past event.
A small, lonely figure sitting on a stone bench in a dimly lit, quiet setting, hunched over with their face hidden in their hands, clearly expressing deep sorrow or lamentation.

Examples

Su carta era un lamento por las oportunidades perdidas.

Her letter was a lament for lost opportunities.

Se oía el lamento del viento entre los árboles.

The moan of the wind could be heard through the trees.

Tras la derrota, solo había silencio y lamentos en el vestuario.

After the defeat, there was only silence and regrets in the locker room.

nounA2general
This word means 'pity' and is used when you feel sorry for someone's unfortunate situation, rather than regretting your own actions.

Examples

Le di algo de dinero por lástima, se veía muy triste.

I gave him some money out of pity; he looked very sad.

Arrepentimiento vs. Remordimiento

Learners often confuse 'arrepentimiento' and 'remordimiento'. While both relate to past actions, 'arrepentimiento' is a more general feeling of wishing you hadn't done something, whereas 'remordimiento' specifically implies guilt or a moral failing.

Related Translations

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