悔: the kanji for regret
悔 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means regret. Below are its readings, 5 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
悔 is written in 9 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
悔 has 4 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 5 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
カイ (kai)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 後悔こうかい · kōkai | regret |
くやしい (kuyashii)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 悔しいくやしい · kuyashii | frustrating; vexing |
くやむ (kuyamu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 悔やむくやむ · kuyamu | to regret |
くいる (kuiru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 悔いるくいる · kuiru | to repent |
| 悔いくい · kui | regret |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 試合に負けて悔しかった。Shiai ni makete kuyashikatta.I was frustrated to lose the game.
- あのとき言わなかったことを後悔している。Ano toki iwanakatta koto o kōkai shite iru.I regret not saying it then.
- 過ぎたことを悔やんでも仕方がない。Sugita koto o kuyande mo shikata ga nai.There's no use regretting what's done.
- 悔いのないように全力を出した。Kui no nai yō ni zenryoku o dashita.I gave it everything so I'd have no regrets.
- 彼は自分の行いを深く悔いている。Kare wa jibun no okonai o fukaku kuite iru.He deeply regrets what he did.
Questions about 悔
How many strokes does 悔 have?
悔 is written in 9 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 悔?
The on readings are kai (カイ). The kun readings are kuiru (くいる), kuyamu (くやむ), kuyashii (くやしい).
What JLPT level is 悔?
N1. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N1 is designed to match the former Level 1.
More JLPT N1 kanji
Feelings and emotions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 悔
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.