πŸ˜”

Talking About Regret: 'I should have...'

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πŸ˜”
IS #174 β€” Talking About Regret: 'I should have...'
How to express regret naturally in Korean β€” looking back on what you wish you had done differently.
πŸ”Š
Iru Helper Note
In Korean, regret is expressed through specific grammar patterns that attach to verbs. The key structure is -(으)γ„Ή κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” β€” "I should have done X" β€” which captures the feeling of looking back and wishing things had gone differently.
더 μ—΄μ‹¬νžˆ 곡뢀할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”.
(I should have studied harder.)
Β 

πŸ˜” What You'll Learn Today

Regret is a universal feeling β€” and expressing it well in Korean requires knowing a few key grammar structures. Today you'll learn how to say "I should have," "I wish I had," and "If only I had" in Korean, plus natural phrases for processing and sharing regret in conversation. These patterns come up constantly in real-life Korean.

πŸ“Œ Expressing Regret

Expression
Meaning
Notes
-(으)γ„Ή κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
I should have... / I regret not...
Most natural regret pattern
-지 말 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
I shouldn't have...
For things you did but wish you hadn't
-(으)λ©΄ μ’‹μ•˜μ„ 텐데
It would have been nice if...
Wistful, softer regret
ν›„νšŒκ°€ λΌμš”
I feel regret / I regret it
Direct regret statement
μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš”
It's a shame / I'm a bit disappointed
Lighter, everyday regret
κ·Έλ•Œ μ•Œμ•˜λ”λΌλ©΄...
If I had known back then...
Hypothetical regret opener
μ’€ 더 일찍 ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
I should have done it sooner
Common timing regret
κ·Έλƒ₯ ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
I should have just done it
For hesitation regret
μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”?
Why did I do that? / What was I thinking?
Rhetorical self-regret
λ‹€μ‹œ ν•œλ²ˆ 생각해볼 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
I should have thought about it again
For rushed decisions
말할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
I should have said something
For silence regret
μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”
There was nothing I could do / It couldn't be helped
Releasing regret
πŸ’‘ Key pattern: -(으)γ„Ή κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” = I should have [done X]. Drop κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” in casual speech: 더 말할 κ±Έ. The full form is more reflective and natural in conversation.

πŸ’¬ Conversations in Action

Dialogue 1 β€” Regretting a decision
A: κ·Έ 일 μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ λμ–΄μš”? (How did that thing turn out?)
B: 잘 μ•ˆ λμ–΄μš”. μ†”μ§νžˆ μ’€ 더 μ€€λΉ„ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. (It didn't go well. To be honest, I should have prepared more.)
A: λ„ˆλ¬΄ μžμ±…ν•˜μ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš”. (Don't be too hard on yourself.)
B: κ·Έλž˜λ„ μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš”. κ·Έλ•Œ μ’€ 더 μ—΄μ‹¬νžˆ ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬λŠ”λ°... (Still, it's a shame. I should have worked harder back then...)
Dialogue 2 β€” Sharing a timing regret
A: μ™œ κ·Έ 기회λ₯Ό μ•ˆ μž‘μ•˜μ–΄μš”? (Why didn't you take that opportunity?)
B: 저도 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”. μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”? κ·Έλƒ₯ ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. (I don't know either. Why did I do that? I should have just done it.)
A: λ‹€μŒμ—” κΈ°νšŒκ°€ 또 올 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. (Another chance will come next time.)
B: λ§žμ•„μš”. μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠. (You're right. There was nothing I could do. I just need to do better going forward.)

🌏 Cultural Note β€” Processing Regret in Korean

Koreans often use μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš” (a bit of a shame) rather than full regret statements in lighter situations β€” it's softer and less emotionally heavy. Full regret expressions like ν›„νšŒκ°€ λΌμš” or κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” are used for deeper reflection. Ending a regret conversation with μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš” or μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠 is a common way to close the loop and move forward.
Answer
<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise
Practice expressing regret naturally.
A. Express that you should have prepared more.
μ’€ 더 μ€€λΉ„ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš”.
(I should have prepared more. It's a shame.)
B. Express that you shouldn't have said something.
Answer
κ·Έ 말은 ν•˜μ§€ 말 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. ν›„νšŒκ°€ λΌμš”.
(I shouldn't have said that. I feel regret.)
C. Express wistful regret β€” it would have been nice if things were different.
Answer
κ·Έλ•Œ 더 연락할 κ±Έ... 더 자주 μ—°λ½ν•˜λ©΄ μ’‹μ•˜μ„ 텐데.
(I should have contacted more... It would have been nice if I had been in touch more often.)
D. Express that you should have done something sooner.
Answer
μ’€ 더 일찍 μ‹œμž‘ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. λ„ˆλ¬΄ λŠ¦μ—ˆμ–΄μš”.
(I should have started sooner. It's too late.)
E. Express that you should have just done something without hesitating.
Answer
κ·Έλƒ₯ ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. μ™œ λ§μ„€μ˜€μ„κΉŒμš”?
(I should have just done it. Why did I hesitate?)
F. Reflect rhetorically on a past decision.
Answer
μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”? λ‹€μ‹œ 생각해볼 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”.
(Why did I do that? I should have thought about it again.)
G. Express regret about staying silent.
Answer
κ·Έλ•Œ 말할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. 계속 λ§ˆμŒμ— κ±Έλ €μš”.
(I should have said something then. It keeps weighing on my mind.)
H. Express a hypothetical regret β€” if only you had known.
Answer
κ·Έλ•Œ μ•Œμ•˜λ”λΌλ©΄... λ‹€λ₯΄κ²Œ ν–‰λ™ν–ˆμ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš”.
(If I had known back then... I would have acted differently.)
I. Release regret by saying there was nothing you could do.
Answer
μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. κ·Έλ•ŒλŠ” 그게 μ΅œμ„ μ΄μ—ˆμ–΄μš”.
(There was nothing I could do. That was the best I could do at the time.)
J. Close a regret reflection by looking forward.
Answer
ν›„νšŒν•΄λ„ μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ–΄μš”. μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠.
(Even if I regret it, there's nothing I can do. I just need to do better going forward.)
πŸ“š
Expression Reference
Expression
Use
-(으)γ„Ή κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
I should have done X
-지 말 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
I shouldn't have done X
-(으)λ©΄ μ’‹μ•˜μ„ 텐데
Wistful / softer regret
ν›„νšŒκ°€ λΌμš”
Direct regret statement
μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš”
Light regret / disappointment
κ·Έλ•Œ μ•Œμ•˜λ”λΌλ©΄
"If I had known then..."
μ’€ 더 일찍 ν•  κ±Έ
Timing regret
κ·Έλƒ₯ ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
Hesitation regret
μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”?
Rhetorical self-reflection
μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”
Releasing regret
πŸ’‘
Grammar Tip
κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” comes from κ·ΈλŸ¬λ‹€ (to do so). The full phrase is [verb-(으)γ„Ή κ±Έ] + κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” = "I should have done that." In casual speech, drop κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”: 말할 κ±Έ. Adding κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” makes it sound more reflective and complete.
</summary>
πŸ”
Want more reps?
Think of one real thing from this week you wish you had done differently. Express it using -(으)γ„Ή κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”, then close it with μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš” or μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠. Turning regret into language is a powerful practice.
Β 

πŸ“¦ Practice Hub β€” talking about regret

Exercise 1 β€” Choose the Right Expression

Pick the most natural regret phrase for each situation.
A. You didn't prepare enough and it showed. Express "I should have prepared more":
  1. ν›„νšŒκ°€ λΌμš”
  2. μ€€λΉ„ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
  3. μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”
Answer
2 β€” -(으)γ„Ή κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” is the natural "I should have done X" structure.
B. You said something you wish you hadn't. Express "I shouldn't have said that":
  1. 말할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
  2. λ§ν•˜μ§€ 말 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
  3. μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš”
Answer
2 β€” -지 말 κ±Έ κ·Έλžœμ–΄μš” is for things you did but wish you hadn't.
C. You have a soft, wistful regret about not seeing someone more often:
  1. -(으)λ©΄ μ’‹μ•˜μ„ 텐데
  2. μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”?
  3. ν›„νšŒκ°€ λΌμš”
Answer
1 β€” -(으)λ©΄ μ’‹μ•˜μ„ 텐데 is the softest, most wistful regret form.
D. You hesitated and missed an opportunity. Express "I should have just done it":
  1. μ’€ 더 일찍 ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
  2. κ·Έλƒ₯ ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
  3. λ‹€μ‹œ 생각할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
Answer
2 β€” κ·Έλƒ₯ ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” specifically targets hesitation regret.
E. You're reflecting rhetorically on a past decision you don't understand:
  1. μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”
  2. μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”?
  3. μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš”
Answer
2 β€” μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”? is the natural self-reflective rhetorical question.
F. You want to express a light everyday regret β€” not deep, just a bit of a shame:
  1. ν›„νšŒκ°€ λΌμš”
  2. μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš”
  3. -지 말 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
Answer
2 β€” μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš” is lighter and softer than ν›„νšŒκ°€ λΌμš” β€” perfect for everyday regret.
G. You wish you had started something earlier. Express timing regret:
  1. κ·Έλƒ₯ ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
  2. μ’€ 더 일찍 ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
  3. μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”?
Answer
2 β€” μ’€ 더 일찍 ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” directly expresses timing regret.
H. You want to open a hypothetical β€” "if only I had known back then":
  1. μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”
  2. κ·Έλ•Œ μ•Œμ•˜λ”λΌλ©΄
  3. ν›„νšŒκ°€ λΌμš”
Answer
2 β€” κ·Έλ•Œ μ•Œμ•˜λ”λΌλ©΄ is the natural hypothetical regret opener.
I. You want to release the regret and accept what happened:
  1. μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš”
  2. μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”
  3. κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
Answer
2 β€” μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš” is the acceptance phrase β€” "there was nothing I could do."
J. You want to close a regret conversation by looking forward:
  1. μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”?
  2. μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠
  3. κ·Έλ•Œ μ•Œμ•˜λ”λΌλ©΄
Answer
2 β€” μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠 is the natural forward-looking close after processing regret.
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
Situation
Phrase
Should have done X
-(으)γ„Ή κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
Shouldn't have done X
-지 말 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
Wistful / soft regret
-(으)λ©΄ μ’‹μ•˜μ„ 텐데
Hesitation regret
κ·Έλƒ₯ ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
Rhetorical reflection
μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”?
Light everyday regret
μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš”
Timing regret
μ’€ 더 일찍 ν•  κ±Έ
Hypothetical opener
κ·Έλ•Œ μ•Œμ•˜λ”λΌλ©΄
Release / acceptance
μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”
Forward close
μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠
🚨
Pitfall: Confusing κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” vs 지 말 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” = I should have done it (you didn't do it, and now regret not doing it)
ν•˜μ§€ 말 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” = I shouldn't have done it (you did it, and now regret doing it)
These are opposites. Mixing them up changes the meaning completely.
</details>

Exercise 2 β€” Korean β†’ English Translation

Translate each regret phrase naturally.
A. μ’€ 더 μ€€λΉ„ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš”.
Answer
I should have prepared more. It's a shame.
B. κ·Έ 말은 ν•˜μ§€ 말 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. ν›„νšŒκ°€ λΌμš”.
Answer
I shouldn't have said that. I feel regret.
C. 더 자주 μ—°λ½ν•˜λ©΄ μ’‹μ•˜μ„ 텐데.
Answer
It would have been nice if I had been in touch more often.
D. κ·Έλƒ₯ ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. μ™œ λ§μ„€μ˜€μ„κΉŒμš”?
Answer
I should have just done it. Why did I hesitate?
E. μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”? λ‹€μ‹œ 생각해볼 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”.
Answer
Why did I do that? I should have thought about it again.
F. μ’€ 더 일찍 μ‹œμž‘ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. λ„ˆλ¬΄ λŠ¦μ—ˆμ–΄μš”.
Answer
I should have started sooner. It's too late.
G. κ·Έλ•Œ μ•Œμ•˜λ”λΌλ©΄ λ‹€λ₯΄κ²Œ ν–‰λ™ν–ˆμ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš”.
Answer
If I had known back then, I would have acted differently.
H. μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. κ·Έλ•ŒλŠ” 그게 μ΅œμ„ μ΄μ—ˆμ–΄μš”.
Answer
There was nothing I could do. That was the best I could do at the time.
I. 말할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. 계속 λ§ˆμŒμ— κ±Έλ €μš”.
Answer
I should have said something. It keeps weighing on my mind.
J. ν›„νšŒν•΄λ„ μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ–΄μš”. μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠.
Answer
Even if I regret it, there's nothing I can do. I just need to do better going forward.
πŸ“š
Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Korean
English
ν›„νšŒ
regret
아쉽닀
to be a shame / disappointing
망섀이닀
to hesitate
λ§ˆμŒμ— 걸리닀
to weigh on one's mind
ν–‰λ™ν•˜λ‹€
to act / behave
μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†λ‹€
can't be helped / nothing can be done
μ΅œμ„ 
one's best
μ•žμœΌλ‘œ
going forward / in the future
πŸ’‘
Grammar Tip
λ§ˆμŒμ— κ±Έλ €μš” (weighs on my mind) is a key emotional phrase for unresolved regret. 마음 = heart/mind, 걸리닀 = to catch/hang on. Something that keeps coming back to you "hangs" in your mind. Pair it with 말할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” to express lingering guilt about silence.

Exercise 3 β€” Complete the Sentence

Fill in the blank with the correct regret pattern.
A. 더 μ—΄μ‹¬νžˆ 곡뢀__ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”.
(I should have studied harder.)
Answer
ν•  κ±Έ
B. κ·Έ 말은 ν•˜__ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”.
(I shouldn't have said that.)
Answer
지 말 κ±Έ
C. 더 자주 λ§Œλ‚˜__ μ’‹μ•˜μ„ 텐데.
(It would have been nice if we had met more often.)
Answer
λ©΄
D. μ™œ __? 이해가 μ•ˆ κ°€μš”.
(Why did I do that? I don't understand.)
Answer
κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”
E. μ’€ 더 일찍 __ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”.
(I should have done it sooner.)
Answer
ν•  κ±Έ
F. κ·Έλƒ₯ __ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. λ„ˆλ¬΄ λ§μ„€μ˜€μ–΄μš”.
(I should have just done it. I hesitated too much.)
Answer
ν•  κ±Έ
G. __ μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ ν–ˆμ„κΉŒμš”? λ‹€ ν›„νšŒκ°€ λΌμš”.
(If I had known then, what would I have done? I regret everything.)
Answer
κ·Έλ•Œ μ•Œμ•˜λ”λΌλ©΄
H. μ–΄μ©” 수 __. κ·Έλ•ŒλŠ” μ΅œμ„ μ΄μ—ˆμ–΄μš”.
(There was nothing I could do. That was the best at the time.)
Answer
μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”
I. λ§ˆμŒμ— 계속 __. κ·Έλ•Œ 말할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”.
(It keeps weighing on my mind. I should have said something then.)
Answer
κ±Έλ €μš”
J. μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 __. 더 이상 ν›„νšŒν•˜μ§€ 말자.
(I just need to do better going forward. Let's stop regretting.)
Answer
ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠
πŸ“š
Sentence Starters
Pattern
When to Use
-(으)γ„Ή κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
Didn't do X, wish you had
-지 말 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
Did X, wish you hadn't
-(으)λ©΄ μ’‹μ•˜μ„ 텐데
Wistful / soft regret
μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”?
Rhetorical self-reflection
μ’€ 더 일찍 ν•  κ±Έ
Timing regret
κ·Έλƒ₯ ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
Hesitation regret
κ·Έλ•Œ μ•Œμ•˜λ”λΌλ©΄
Hypothetical regret
μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”
Release / acceptance
λ§ˆμŒμ— κ±Έλ €μš”
Lingering regret
μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠
Forward-looking close
πŸ’‘
Production Tip
Pair a regret with a release: ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”... μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. (I should have done it... but there was nothing I could do.) This two-sentence structure sounds complete and emotionally honest in Korean conversation.

Exercise 4 β€” Dialogue Completion

Complete each exchange with a natural regret expression.
A.
A: μ‹œν—˜ μ–΄λ• μ–΄μš”?
B: 잘 λͺ» λ΄€μ–΄μš”. 더 __.
Answer
μ—΄μ‹¬νžˆ 곡뢀할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” β€” 더 μ—΄μ‹¬νžˆ 곡뢀할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”.
(I should have studied harder.)
B.
A: μ™œ κ·Έ 말 ν–ˆμ–΄μš”? μƒμ²˜λ°›μ€ 것 κ°™λ˜λ°μš”.
B: 저도 μ•Œμ•„μš”. __.
Answer
κ·Έ 말은 ν•˜μ§€ 말 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. ν›„νšŒκ°€ λΌμš”.
(I shouldn't have said that. I feel regret.)
C.
A: κ·Έ 기회 μž‘μ•˜μ–΄μ•Ό ν–ˆλŠ”λ°.
B: λ§žμ•„μš”. κ·Έλƒ₯ __.
Answer
ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. μ™œ λ§μ„€μ˜€μ„κΉŒμš”?
(I should have just done it. Why did I hesitate?)
D.
A: 연락 μ™œ μ΄λ ‡κ²Œ 였래 μ•ˆ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”?
B: 저도 __. μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš”.
Answer
더 자주 연락할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš” β€” 더 자주 연락할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš”.
(I should have been in touch more often. It's a shame.)
E.
A: μ™œ 더 빨리 μ‹œμž‘ μ•ˆ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”?
B: μ’€ 더 __.
Answer
일찍 μ‹œμž‘ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. ν›„νšŒκ°€ λΌμš”.
(I should have started sooner. I regret it.)
F.
A: κ·Έλ•Œ μ™œ 그런 결정을 ν–ˆμ–΄μš”?
B: 저도 λͺ°λΌμš”. __. λ‹€μ‹œ 생각할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”.
Answer
μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”? β€” μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”? λ‹€μ‹œ 생각할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”.
(Why did I do that? I should have thought about it again.)
G.
A: 아직도 κ·Έ 일 μƒκ°ν•΄μš”?
B: λ„€, 계속 __. κ·Έλ•Œ 말할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”.
Answer
λ§ˆμŒμ— κ±Έλ €μš” β€” λ§ˆμŒμ— κ±Έλ €μš”. κ·Έλ•Œ 말할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”.
(It keeps weighing on my mind. I should have said something then.)
H.
A: κ·Έλ•Œ μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμž–μ•„μš”.
B: κ·Έλ ‡μ£ . __. κ·Έλ•ŒλŠ” μ΅œμ„ μ΄μ—ˆμ–΄μš”.
Answer
μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš” β€” μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. κ·Έλ•ŒλŠ” μ΅œμ„ μ΄μ—ˆμ–΄μš”.
(There was nothing I could do. That was the best I could do at the time.)
I.
A: λ„ˆλ¬΄ μžμ±…ν•˜μ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš”.
B: λ§žμ•„μš”. __. μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠.
Answer
ν›„νšŒν•΄λ„ μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ–΄μš” β€” ν›„νšŒν•΄λ„ μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ–΄μš”. μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠.
(Even if I regret it, there's nothing I can do. I just need to do better.)
J.
A: κ·Έλ•Œ μ•Œμ•˜μœΌλ©΄ μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ ν–ˆμ„ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”?
B: __ λΆ„λͺ…νžˆ λ‹€λ₯΄κ²Œ ν–‰λ™ν–ˆμ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš”.
Answer
κ·Έλ•Œ μ•Œμ•˜λ”λΌλ©΄, β€” κ·Έλ•Œ μ•Œμ•˜λ”λΌλ©΄, λΆ„λͺ…νžˆ λ‹€λ₯΄κ²Œ ν–‰λ™ν–ˆμ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš”.
(If I had known back then, I definitely would have acted differently.)
πŸ“š
Useful Phrases
Phrase
Meaning
μƒμ²˜λ°›λ‹€
to get hurt
λΆ„λͺ…νžˆ
definitely / clearly
μžμ±…ν•˜λ‹€
to blame oneself
κ²°μ •ν•˜λ‹€
to decide
계속 λ§ˆμŒμ— 걸리닀
to keep weighing on one's mind
μ΅œμ„ μ΄μ—ˆμ–΄μš”
"That was the best I could do"
μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠
"I just need to do better going forward"
πŸ’‘
Conversation Tip
When someone expresses regret, the most supportive response in Korean is μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš” + λ„ˆλ¬΄ μžμ±…ν•˜μ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš” ("There was nothing you could do + don't be too hard on yourself"). These two phrases together offer both acceptance and compassion.

Exercise 5 β€” Free Speaking Practice

Express regret for each scenario in 2–3 sentences. Use today's patterns.
A. Reflect on a time you didn't prepare enough for something.
Sample Answer
μ’€ 더 μ€€λΉ„ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš”. λ‹€μŒμ—” 더 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠.
B. Reflect on something you said that you wish you hadn't.
Sample Answer
κ·Έ 말은 ν•˜μ§€ 말 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. 계속 λ§ˆμŒμ— κ±Έλ €μš”. ν›„νšŒκ°€ λΌμš”.
C. Express wistful regret about not spending more time with someone.
Sample Answer
더 자주 λ§Œλ‚˜λ©΄ μ’‹μ•˜μ„ 텐데. κ·Έλ•Œ 연락 더 ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”.
D. Express that you should have started something earlier.
Sample Answer
μ’€ 더 일찍 μ‹œμž‘ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. μ™œ κ·Έλ ‡κ²Œ 늦게 μ‹œμž‘ν–ˆμ„κΉŒμš”?
E. Reflect rhetorically on a past choice you don't understand.
Sample Answer
μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”? κ·Έλƒ₯ ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. 이해가 μ•ˆ κ°€μš”.
F. Open a hypothetical regret and follow it with what you would have done.
Sample Answer
κ·Έλ•Œ μ•Œμ•˜λ”λΌλ©΄ λ‹€λ₯΄κ²Œ ν–‰λ™ν–ˆμ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. 정말 μ•„μ‰¬μ›Œμš”.
G. Release a regret by accepting what couldn't be changed.
Sample Answer
μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. κ·Έλ•ŒλŠ” μ΅œμ„ μ΄μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠.
H. Express regret about staying silent when you should have spoken.
Sample Answer
κ·Έλ•Œ 말할 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. 계속 λ§ˆμŒμ— κ±Έλ €μš”. λ‹€μŒμ—” κΌ­ 말할 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”.
I. Use the regret + release formula in two sentences.
Sample Answer
더 μ—΄μ‹¬νžˆ ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”. μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš” β€” κ·Έλ•ŒλŠ” 그게 μ΅œμ„ μ΄μ—ˆμ–΄μš”.
J. Close a regret reflection with a forward-looking resolution.
Sample Answer
ν›„νšŒν•΄λ„ μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ–΄μš”. μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠. λ‹€μŒμ—” λ‹¬λΌμ§ˆ κ±°μ˜ˆμš”.
πŸ“š
Sentence Starters
Pattern
Use When
-(으)γ„Ή κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
Should have done X
-지 말 κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
Shouldn't have done X
-(으)λ©΄ μ’‹μ•˜μ„ 텐데
Soft / wistful regret
μ™œ κ·Έλž¬μ„κΉŒμš”?
Rhetorical self-reflection
κ·Έλƒ₯ ν•  κ±Έ κ·Έλž¬μ–΄μš”
Hesitation regret
μ’€ 더 일찍 ν•  κ±Έ
Timing regret
κ·Έλ•Œ μ•Œμ•˜λ”λΌλ©΄
Hypothetical regret
μ–΄μ©” 수 μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”
Acceptance / release
λ§ˆμŒμ— κ±Έλ €μš”
Lingering regret
μ•žμœΌλ‘œ 잘 ν•˜λ©΄ 되죠
Forward-looking close
πŸ†
Speaking Challenge
Think of one real regret β€” big or small. Express it in Korean: (1) what you should/shouldn't have done, (2) how it felt, (3) whether you can accept it or what you'll do differently. Keep it to 4–5 sentences. Speaking about real feelings is the fastest way to make grammar stick.
ν›„νšŒλŠ” λ°°μ›€μ˜ μ‹œμž‘μ΄μ—μš” β€” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ‘œ ν‘œν˜„ν•΄ λ³΄μ„Έμš”! ✨
Β