han6 co3恨錯恨错
Jyutpinghan6 co3
Yalehahn cho
Definition
To regret a mistake that has been committed.
colloquialemotion
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the deep, lingering feeling of remorse after a decision has already caused negative consequences. It carries a heavier emotional weight than simply saying you made a mistake, implying a sense of 'if only I had done otherwise.' It is frequently used in contexts where the outcome is irreversible.
Examples
If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn't have made that regrettable mistake.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 遺憾, which is often used for external circumstances or missed opportunities beyond one's control. 恨錯 implies personal agency and the specific regret of having performed an action that was wrong.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
