Definition

1. Noun:

   • Regret: A feeling of sadness, disappointment, or distress over something that has happened or been lost, often accompanied by a wish that it had been different.
   • Longing: A sense of yearning or wistfulness for something that is gone or unattainable.

2. Adjective (used in the structure 'cảm thấy tiếc nuối'):

   • Regretful: Feeling or expressing regret.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Cô ấy cảm thấy một nỗi tiếc nuối sâu sắc. (She feels a deep regret.)
  • Anh ấy rời đi với đầy tiếc nuối. (He left with great longing.)

• Adjective (in predicative use):

  • Tôi rất tiếc nuối vì đã không học chăm chỉ hơn. (I am very regretful for not having studied harder.)
  • Họ cảm thấy tiếc nuối về quyết định của mình. (They feel regretful about their decision.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "tiếc nuối" is often used in formal or literary contexts to describe a profound, lingering sense of loss. It is stronger and more poetic than the simpler word "tiếc".
• It frequently appears in reflective contexts, such as looking back on life, lost opportunities, or past relationships.

Variants and Related Words

• Nuối tiếc (v/n): This is a direct variant with the same meaning and usage as "tiếc nuối". It is equally common.

  • Anh ấy nuối tiếc những ngày tháng đã qua. (He regrets the bygone days.)

• Tiếc (v): To regret, to feel sorry about, to begrudge. This is the root word and is more common in everyday speech.

  • Tôi tiếc vì đã lỡ hẹn. (I regret missing the appointment.)

Synonyms

• Regret: A feeling of sadness or disappointment.
• Remorse: Deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed.
• Longing: A yearning desire.
• Wistfulness: A feeling of vague or regretful longing.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Ôm nỗi tiếc nuối: To harbor/cherish regret.

  • Bà ấy ôm nỗi tiếc nuối cả đời. (She harbored regret her whole life.)

• Tiếc nuối quá khứ: To regret/long for the past.

  • Đừng tiếc nuối quá khứ mà bỏ lỡ hiện tại. (Don't regret the past and miss the present.)