遺恨

• Reading: いこん
• Romaji: ikon
• Kanji breakdown: 遺 (i) — leave behind, bequeath; 恨 (kon) — grudge, resentment, regret
• Pronunciation: /i.ko.ɴ/

Meaning

Grudge; resentment; regret; bitterness. A deep resentment that lingers long after the original wound, as if left behind in the soul.

The compound implies resentment so profound it outlasts the person or situation that caused it — a grudge bequeathed across time. It is stronger and more enduring than 恨み and often implies a historical or inter-generational dimension. Common in contexts of long-standing rivalry, betrayal, or historic injustice. The collocation 遺恨を残す (to leave behind a grudge) is frequently encountered.

Examples

1. 数十年前の裏切りへの遺恨が、今でも二人の間に横たわっていた。 A lingering grudge from a betrayal decades ago still lay between the two of them.
2. 試合後、選手は審判の判定への遺恨を公然と口にした。 After the match, the player openly voiced his resentment over the referee's call.
3. 遺恨を抱えたまま逝った彼の魂は、いまだに安らいでいないと村人たちは言う。 The villagers say the soul of the man who died carrying his grudge has yet to find peace.

Usage Guide

Context: history, sports rivalries, literature, conflict

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 遺 (i, to leave behind, bequeath) and 恨 (kon, resentment, grievance). The word implies a resentment so deep it persists or is 'left behind' long after the original incident — a grudge that outlives its cause.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal