Translation and Meaning of: 後悔 - koukai

The Japanese word 後悔 (こうかい, kōkai) carries an emotional weight that goes beyond its simple translation. If you are looking to understand its meaning, origin, or how to use it in daily life, this article will explore all of that in a clear and practical way. We will cover everything from the composition of the kanji to the cultural context in which this expression appears, along with tips for memorizing it and avoiding common confusions.

Meaning and translation of 後悔

後悔 (kōkai) means "regret" in Japanese, but with a specific nuance: it refers to the feeling of sorrow for something that was done or left undone. Unlike Portuguese, where "arrependimento" can have a religious connotation, in Japanese the term is more secular and everyday.

A more precise translation would be "to regret a past action," especially when there is a feeling that a different decision would have been better. For example, by saying 後悔している (kōkai shite iru), the person expresses that they regret something specific, such as a professional choice or words spoken without thought.

Origin and composition of kanjis

The kanjis that form 後悔 reveal much about their meaning. 後 (kou) means "after" or "behind," while 悔 (kai) represents "regret" or "remorse." Together, they create the idea of "looking back with sorrow." This combination is ancient, appearing in classical Japanese texts since the Heian period (794-1185).

It is worth noting that 悔 alone already carries the idea of regret, but 後 reinforces the temporal aspect — something that happened in the past and now causes discomfort. This precision is typical of Japanese, which often uses compound kanji to specify emotional nuances.

Cultural usage and frequency

In Japan, 後悔 is a common word in serious and reflective conversations, but not as much in casual day-to-day interactions. It often appears in advice, such as in the expression 後悔先に立たず (kōkai saki ni tatazu), a proverb that means "regret comes too late" — equivalent to our "after the house falls, fixing the fence."

Culturally, there is a certain taboo in openly expressing 後悔, as Japanese society values firm decisions. Therefore, the term appears more in intimate contexts or when someone is looking to learn from past mistakes. In companies, for example, it would be rare for an employee to publicly say that they are 後悔している about a failed strategy.

Tips for memorizing and avoiding mistakes

To avoid confusing 後悔 with similar words like 反省 (hansei, "self-reflection"), remember that it always involves negative emotion about concrete actions. A helpful technique is to associate the kanji 後 with "past" (後ろ, ushiro) and 悔 with "bitter emotion" — as in the word 悔しい (kuyashii), which means "frustrating."

Another common mistake is pronouncing 悔 as "kai" in other contexts. In fact, this reading only appears in 後悔 and in a few words like 悔改める (kuiaratameru, "to repent"). In most cases, 悔 is read as "ku" or "kuyashi".

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 悔恨 (Kaihen) - A deep feeling of regret or sadness for past actions.
• 自責の念 (Jiseki no nen) - Feelings of guilt or personal responsibility for mistakes made.
• 後ろめたさ (Ushirometasa) - A feeling of embarrassment or shame related to a transgression or mistake.

後悔

Romaji: koukai
Kana: こうかい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: repentance

Meaning in English: regret;repentance

Definition: Feeling remorse for past actions or decisions.

Example Sentences - (後悔) koukai

See below some example sentences:

サボると後悔する。

Saboru to koukai suru

I lament when I jump.

I lament when I jump.

• サボる - verb that means "to miss" or "to slack off".
• と - particle that indicates the cause-and-effect relationship between the two parts of the sentence.
• 後悔する - verb that means "to regret".

怠ると後悔する。

Tamaru to koukai suru

If you procrastinate

I apologize for neglecting.

• 怠る - neglect, procrastinate
• と - particle that indicates consequence
• 後悔する - to regret

愚かな行動をすると後悔することになる。

Guka na koudou wo suru to koukai suru koto ni naru

If you act foolishly

If you act foolishly, you will regret it.

• 愚かな - fool, stupid
• 行動 - action, behavior
• をする - make
• と - I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that.
• 後悔する - to regret
• ことになる - end up becoming

見逃すと後悔するかもしれない。

Minogasu to koukai suru kamoshirenai

You may regret if you lose.

• 見逃す - verb that means "to lose sight of," "to let go unnoticed"
• と - particle that indicates a condition or consequence
• 後悔する - compound verb that means "to regret", "to feel remorse"
• かもしれない - expression that means "may be", "perhaps"