🟠 Expressing Regret in Korean (후회하다 vs 아쉽다) – Intermediate Level (TOPIK 3–4)
%20(1).jpg "Expressing Regret in Korean (후회하다 huhoe-hada vs 아쉽다 aswipda) – Intermediate (TOPIK 3–4)")
Regret in Korean, made clear: Use 후회하다 (to regret your own action) vs 아쉽다 (it’s a pity about the situation). Learn must-know patterns like ~할 걸 그랬다 / ~하지 말 걸 그랬다, real dialogues, common mistakes, and a quick quiz (TOPIK 3–4).
Regret in Korean: 후회하다 vs 아쉽다 (TOPIK 3–4)
📑 Table of Contents (tap)
1) Meaning & Contrast
| Expression | Core meaning | Typical context | Example (KR · RR · EN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 후회하다 (huhoe-hada) | to regret one’s own (in)action | study, purchases, relationships — things you controlled |
티켓을 미리 사지 않은 걸 후회해요. tikesseul miri saji aneun geol huhoehaeyo I regret not buying the ticket earlier. |
| 아쉽다 (aswipda) | to feel it’s a pity; something fell short | weather, schedule changes, not enough time/quantity |
비가 와서 축제가 취소돼서 아쉬워요. biga waseo chukjega chwiso dwaeseo aswiwoyo It’s a pity the festival got canceled because of rain. |
Quick test: Could you have changed the outcome? If yes → 후회하다. If no (circumstance) → 아쉽다.
2) Must-know Patterns
- ~할 걸 그랬다 — “I should’ve …”
일찍 올 걸 그랬어요. · I should’ve come earlier. - ~하지 말 걸 그랬다 — “I shouldn’t have …”
충동구매하지 말 걸 그랬어요. · I shouldn’t have impulse-bought it. - -아/어서 아쉽다 — reason + pity
시간이 없어서 아쉬웠어요. · It was a pity I had no time. - -았/었던 게 아쉽다 — “looking back, it’s a pity that …”
더 못 본 게 아쉬워요. · I wish I’d seen more. - Collocations: 기회를 놓치다 (miss a chance), 미리 준비하다 (prepare in advance)
3) Reading + Vocab
Mini passage (KR → EN)
지난주에 친구 생일 파티에 가지 못해서 정말 아쉬웠어요. 일이 갑자기 생겨서 참석할 수 없었거든요. 하지만 선물을 미리 준비하지 않은 것은 정말 후회돼요.
I felt it was a pity (circumstance) that I couldn’t attend my friend’s party. But I truly regret (my action) not preparing a gift in advance.
Vocabulary focus
- 아쉽다 — to feel something is unfortunate
- 후회하다 — to regret one’s action/inaction
- 참석하다 — to attend
- 놓치다 — to miss (opportunity, bus, etc.)
4) Practice Dialogue
A: How was the concert?
B: 정말 좋았어요. 그런데 친구가 못 와서 아쉬웠어요.
jeongmal johasseoyo. geureonde chinguga mot waseo aswiwosseoyo.
It was great, but I felt it was a pity my friend couldn’t come.
A: 티켓을 미리 사지 않은 걸 후회해요.
tikesseul miri saji aneun geol huhoehaeyo.
I regret not buying the tickets earlier.
B: Let’s go together next time!
5) Common Mistakes & Fixes
| Mistake | Why it’s off | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “It’s raining, I regret it.” → 비가 와서 후회해요. | Weather is not your action. | Use pity: 비가 와서 아쉬워요. |
| “I overslept, I’m pity.” → 늦잠을 자서 아쉬웠어요. | Your action → regret. | 늦잠을 자서 후회돼요. |
| Wrong negation order in ~말 걸 그랬다 | Negation must modify the verb. | 하지 말 걸 그랬어요 / 할 걸 그랬어요 |
6) 📝 Pop Quiz
- Translate: “I regret not studying harder for the test.”
- Translate: “It’s a pity that it’s raining today.”
- Fill in: “I _____ not calling my parents last week.” (후회하다 / 아쉽다)
Show answers
- 시험 공부를 더 열심히 하지 않은 걸 후회해요.
- 오늘 비가 와서 아쉬워요.
- 후회한다 (I regret)
7) Teacher’s Tips
- Daily 3-line reflection: 1 × 후회하다 + 1 × 아쉽다 + 1 × reason.
- Upgrade synonyms: 유감이다/안타깝다 (situation), 뉘우치다/뼈아프다 (strong regret).
- Speak in Cause → Feeling order for clarity.
8) 🔗 Related by Label
- Back to Home — learningkr.com
- Beginner Series — core grammar mini
- Travel to Korea — language & culture tips
9) 🗓️ Update & transparency
Last updated: 2025-09-01 (KST)
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