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How to Say "to regret" in Spanish

English → Spanish

sentir

/sen-TEER//senˈtiɾ/

VerbA1General
Use 'sentir' when you are expressing a simple apology for an action or inability to do something, akin to 'I'm sorry'.
A child with a sad, remorseful expression looking down at a broken toy, indicating they are sorry for the mistake.

Examples

Lo siento, no puedo ir a tu fiesta.

I'm sorry, I can't go to your party.

Siento mucho lo que pasó.

I'm very sorry about what happened.

Siento haberte preocupado.

I'm sorry to have worried you.

Saying Sorry for Something

When you say you're sorry that something happened, you often use 'sentir que' followed by a special verb form (the subjunctive). For example: 'Siento que estés enfermo' (I'm sorry that you are sick).

doler

doh-LEHR/doˈleɾ/

verbB1General
Use 'doler' (often with 'le' or 'me') when you want to express the emotional pain or hurt caused by someone's actions or a situation.
A storybook illustration of a lone person sitting on a wooden bench, head lowered, exhibiting a sad expression with a single tear, representing grief or sorrow.

Examples

Me duele que no confíes en mí.

It hurts me that you don't trust me.

Le duele mucho que sus hijos no la visiten.

It pains her greatly that her children don't visit her.

Nos duele pensar en todo el tiempo perdido.

It grieves us to think about all the lost time.

Me duele que la gente no sea más amable.

It bothers me that people aren't kinder (literally: It pains me that people...).

Doler + Subjunctive

When 'doler' expresses regret or sadness about someone else's action or a situation, the verb that follows must be in the subjunctive mood (the special form for wishes and feelings): 'Me duele que vivas tan lejos.'

Mixing Physical and Emotional Contexts

Mistake: “Me duele la noticia (I hurt the news).”

Correction: Me entristece la noticia (The news saddens me). While 'doler' works, 'entristecer' or 'dar pena' are often smoother for general bad news.

pesar

peh-SAHR/peˈsaɾ/

verbB1Formal/Literary
Use 'pesar' when you want to convey a deep sense of regret or remorse, like a heavy burden on your conscience about a past action or inaction.
A small, unhappy cartoon character sitting on the ground next to a puddle of spilled milk, holding their head in their hands, depicting regret.

Examples

Me pesa no haber ido a la universidad.

I regret not having gone to university. (Literally: It weighs on me...)

A ella le pesa mucho la muerte de su abuela.

Her grandmother's death weighs heavily on her.

Aunque es una decisión difícil, no me pesa.

Although it is a difficult decision, I don't regret it.

Used like 'Gustar'

When expressing regret, 'pesar' often uses indirect object pronouns (me, te, le, nos, les) to show who feels the weight/burden, similar to how the verb 'gustar' works.

Mixing up the subject

Mistake: “Yo peso el error. (Incorrect use for regret)”

Correction: Me pesa el error. (The error is the thing weighing on 'me'.)

doler

doh-LEHR/doˈleɾ/

verbB1General
Use 'doler' when you are describing the pain or sadness felt because of something that happened, often involving others' actions.
A storybook illustration of a lone person sitting on a wooden bench, head lowered, exhibiting a sad expression with a single tear, representing grief or sorrow.

Examples

Le duele mucho que sus hijos no la visiten.

It pains her greatly that her children don't visit her.

Nos duele pensar en todo el tiempo perdido.

It grieves us to think about all the lost time.

Me duele que la gente no sea más amable.

It bothers me that people aren't kinder (literally: It pains me that people...).

Doler + Subjunctive

When 'doler' expresses regret or sadness about someone else's action or a situation, the verb that follows must be in the subjunctive mood (the special form for wishes and feelings): 'Me duele que vivas tan lejos.'

Mixing Physical and Emotional Contexts

Mistake: “Me duele la noticia (I hurt the news).”

Correction: Me entristece la noticia (The news saddens me). While 'doler' works, 'entristecer' or 'dar pena' are often smoother for general bad news.

Confusing 'Sentir' with 'Doler'

Learners often confuse 'sentir' (to be sorry) with 'doler' (to feel pain/hurt). Remember, 'sentir' is for apologies like 'I'm sorry I can't come,' while 'doler' expresses the actual emotional pain caused by a situation or someone's actions.

Related Translations

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