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道Nihongo Path
憾

憾·regret

On-yomi
カン
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

16 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
遺憾いかんregrettable, deplorable
遺憾の意いかんのいan expression of regret
遺憾なくいかんなくfully, to the utmost
憾みうらみregret, a matter for regret

Example sentences

  1. 今回の結果は誠に遺憾です。

    こんかいのけっかはまことにいかんです。

    The result this time is truly regrettable.

  2. 彼は実力を遺憾なく発揮した。

    かれはじつりょくをいかんなくはっきした。

    He displayed his ability to the full.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 遺憾 as いかんじ or ゆいかん — it is いかん
  • Misreading 遺憾なく as 'regrettably' — it actually means 'without anything left undone', i.e. fully

Memory aid

Picture it

The heart 忄 beside the same element found in 感 — a feeling, but one that leaves a sting: regret.

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 憾 mean?