悔やむ

• Reading: くやむ
• Romaji: kuyamu
• Kanji breakdown: 悔 (kai/ku) — regret, repent
• Pronunciation: /kɯ.ja.mɯ/

Meaning

To regret; to mourn; to lament. Expresses deep regret over something that has already happened.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb used to express remorse or grief over past actions or events. Also used in condolence contexts (お悔やみ). The related form 悔やんでも悔やみきれない means the regret is beyond measure.

Examples

1. あのとき勉強しなかったことを今でも悔やんでいる。 I still regret not studying back then.
2. 悔やんでも悔やみきれない失敗だった。 It was a mistake I can never regret enough.
3. 過去を悔やむより、これからのことを考えよう。 Instead of dwelling on the past, let's think about what comes next.

Usage Guide

Context: reflection, condolence, self-criticism

Tone: somber

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 悔 combines 忄(heart radical) with 毎 (every), suggesting a feeling that revisits the heart repeatedly — an emotion one returns to again and again.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal