Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'regret'

English Word: regret

Key Russian Translations:

• сожаление /səʐɐˈlʲenʲɪje/ - [Noun, Formal, Singular]
• сожалеть /səʐɐˈlʲetʲ/ - [Verb, Common, Imperfective]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its forms are commonly used in everyday conversation, literature, and formal writing, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "да" or "нет".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR standards; requires understanding of noun declensions for "сожаление" and verb conjugations for "сожалеть". The noun is slightly easier, while the verb may vary in difficulty based on tense usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сожаление: /səʐɐˈlʲenʲɪje/ (The stress is on the third syllable; note the soft "л" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization.)

Note on сожаление: This word features a voiced "ж" sound, similar to the "s" in "measure," and the ending "-ие" softens the pronunciation. Be cautious with the stress to avoid sounding unnatural.

сожалеть: /səʐɐˈlʲetʲ/ (Stress on the third syllable; the final "ть" is a soft consonant, often devoiced in fast speech.)

Note on сожалеть: As a verb, pronunciation may vary slightly in different forms, such as in the past tense where the ending changes. The "ж" sound remains consistent.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A feeling of sadness or disappointment about something that has happened (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сожаление - Used in formal contexts, such as expressing remorse in writing or speeches, e.g., in apologies or reflections on past events.

Usage Examples:

• Я испытываю глубокое сожаление о случившемся. (I feel deep regret about what happened.)

  This example shows the noun in a formal, introspective context, often in written language or serious conversations.

• Его сожаление было искренним, но слишком запоздалым. (His regret was genuine, but it came too late.)

  Here, it demonstrates the noun with an adjective, highlighting emotional depth in narrative contexts.

• Сожаление не вернёт потерянное время. (Regret won't bring back the lost time.)

  This usage illustrates a proverbial or philosophical statement, common in everyday advice.

• В её глазах читалось явное сожаление. (Regret was evident in her eyes.)

  Shows the noun in descriptive language, often in literature or emotional dialogues.

Meaning 2: To feel sorry or disappointed about something (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сожалеть - Used to express ongoing or habitual regret, common in spoken language for personal reflections or conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Я сожалею о своих словах. (I regret my words.)

  This simple sentence shows the verb in the present tense, ideal for direct apologies in casual or formal settings.

• Он всегда сожалеет о принятых решениях. (He always regrets the decisions he makes.)

  Demonstrates the verb with adverbs, indicating habitual actions in reflective narratives.

• Мы сожалеем, что не смогли приехать вовремя. (We regret that we couldn't arrive on time.)

  Used in plural form with "мы," showing group expressions of regret in professional or social contexts.

• Сожалею, но я не могу помочь. (I'm sorry, but I can't help.)

  A polite, everyday usage, often in customer service or informal refusals.

• Она сожалеет о прошлом, но смотрит в будущее. (She regrets the past but looks to the future.)

  Illustrates the verb in a compound sentence, combining regret with hope in motivational contexts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "сожаление" (a neuter noun of the second declension), it follows standard Russian noun patterns with changes based on case and number. It is regular and does not have irregularities.

For "сожалеть" (an imperfective verb), it conjugates regularly across persons, tenses, and aspects. Below is a partial conjugation table for the present tense:

Note: The perfective counterpart is "посожалеть," but it's less common for ongoing regret.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: сожаление (slight variation), раскаяние (more intense, implying repentance), жаль (informal, exclamatory)
• Antonyms: радость (joy, for сожаление), не сожалеть (to not regret, for сожалеть)

Explanation: "Раскаяние" is a synonym for сожаление but carries a stronger moral connotation, often used in religious or ethical contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Извините за опоздание, я сожалею. (Sorry for being late, I regret it.) - A common apology phrase in everyday situations.
• Сожаление по поводу вашего ухода. (Regret regarding your departure.) - Used in formal farewells or professional settings.
• Без сожаления. (Without regret.) - An idiomatic expression meaning to act without remorse, often in decisive contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Regret" as "сожаление" is a noun that directly corresponds to the English concept but is more formal in Russian; use it in written or professional contexts rather than casual speech. For the verb "сожалеть," it implies an ongoing state, so pair it with imperfective aspects. When choosing between translations, opt for "сожаление" for static feelings and "сожалеть" for actions. Be mindful of grammatical gender and case agreements in sentences.

• In informal settings, Russians might use "жаль" instead, which is less direct.
• Grammar note: Always conjugate verbs like "сожалеть" based on subject and tense to maintain accuracy.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "сожаление" with "сожалеть" and misuse cases. For example, incorrectly saying "Я сожаление" instead of "Я испытываю сожаление" (I regret) – Error: Treating the noun as a verb. Correct: Use the proper verb form, e.g., "Я сожалею." Explanation: Nouns require appropriate verbs like "испытывать" for feelings.

Another error: Forgetting declension, e.g., saying "О сожаление" instead of "О сожалении" in prepositional case. Correct: Always adjust for case, as in "Размышления о сожалении." Explanation: This ensures grammatical agreement and natural flow.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressing regret like "сожаление" or "сожалеть" is often tied to a value of introspection and moral reflection, influenced by literary traditions (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky). It's common in Russian etiquette to verbalize regret in social interactions, reflecting a cultural emphasis on emotional honesty and community harmony.

Related Concepts:

• раскаяние (repentance)
• вину (guilt)
• печаль (sorrow)