🟠 Expressing Regret in Korean (후회하다 vs 아쉽다) – Intermediate Level (TOPIK 3–4)
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Have you ever felt regret but weren’t sure which word to use in Korean—후회하다 or 아쉽다? These two words both deal with feelings of disappointment, but they are used in very different contexts. Understanding this nuance can make your Korean sound much more natural and emotionally precise.
🎯 Learning Goal
- Understand the nuance between 후회하다 (to regret) and 아쉽다 (to feel something is unfortunate)
- Learn situational expressions to apply each term correctly
- Practice making sentences to describe personal experiences of regret
- Enhance your speaking and writing for TOPIK level 3–4 exams
Table of Contents
- 1. Key Expressions
- 2. Reading Passage & Vocabulary
- 3. Grammar Tip
- 4. Say What?
- 5. Teacher’s Tip
- 6. Practice Dialogue
- 7. Pop Quiz
- 8. Did You Know?
- 9. It’s Your Turn
✨ Key Expressions
- 후회하다 – to regret (usually about one’s own actions)
- 아쉽다 – to feel something is unfortunate (often about circumstances)
- ~할 걸 그랬다 – I should have done ~
- ~지 말 걸 그랬다 – I shouldn’t have done ~
- 놓치다 – to miss (an opportunity)
📖 Reading Passage & Vocabulary
지문 (Korean):
저는 지난주에 친구 생일 파티에 가지 못해서 정말 아쉬웠어요. 일이 갑자기 생겨서 참석할 수 없었거든요. 하지만 선물을 미리 준비하지 않은 것은 정말 후회돼요.
Translation (English):
I felt really sad that I couldn’t go to my friend’s birthday party last week. I couldn’t attend because of unexpected work. However, I really regret not preparing a gift in advance.
어휘/표현 정리:
- 아쉽다 – unfortunate, sad about missed chance
- 후회하다 – regret about own action/inaction
- 참석하다 – to attend
- 미리 준비하다 – to prepare in advance
📘 Grammar Tip
Use -할 걸 그랬다 to express regret about not doing something.
Example: 더 열심히 공부할 걸 그랬어요. (I should have studied harder.)
💬 Say What?
Koreans often say “아쉽다” when plans change or when something doesn’t meet expectations, like a canceled event or limited portion of food. It’s softer than 후회하다, which implies personal responsibility.
👩🏫 Teacher’s Tip
In my italki classes, students often mix these two words. I tell them: 후회하다 is about your own actions; 아쉽다 is about circumstances or something missing. Practice with your daily life—after each day, ask yourself: “What do I regret? What feels unfortunate?”
🗣 Practice Dialogue
A: 어제 콘서트 어땠어요?
A (EN): How was the concert yesterday?
B: 정말 좋았어요. 그런데 친구가 못 와서 아쉬웠어요.
B (EN): It was great, but I felt sad my friend couldn’t come.
A: 티켓을 미리 사지 않은 걸 후회해요.
A (EN): I regret not buying the tickets earlier.
B: 다음번엔 꼭 같이 가요!
B (EN): Let’s go together next time!
📝 Pop Quiz
Answer
시험 공부를 더 열심히 하지 않은 걸 후회해요.2. Translate: “It’s unfortunate that it’s raining today.”
Answer
오늘 비가 와서 아쉬워요.3. Fill in the blank: “I _____ not calling my parents last week.” (후회하다 / 아쉽다)
Answer
후회하다💡 Did You Know?
In Korean culture, expressing regret (후회) is often considered introspective, while expressing “아쉬움” shows empathy toward a situation. This subtle difference reflects Korea’s group-oriented communication style.
✍️ It’s Your Turn
Write two sentences using 후회하다 and two sentences using 아쉽다 about your last weekend. Post them in the comments to practice and get feedback.
🧾 Final Thoughts
Learning the difference between 후회하다 and 아쉽다 will help you express emotions more precisely in Korean. Practice daily to build natural fluency and confidence!
Practice on italki: Book a lesson to get personalized feedback and real conversation practice.
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