verb

bedauern

regret

Ein Gefühl, das man hat, wenn man etwas schade findet oder sich wünscht, dass es anders gewesen wäre.

Definition & meaning

The German verb bedauern primarily carries two related meanings:

To regret or feel sorry about something: This refers to the feeling of remorse or sadness regarding a specific event, a decision, or a missed opportunity. It is often used in formal contexts to express that one wishes a situation were different. For example, "Ich bedauere mein Zuspätkommen" (I regret my lateness).
To pity or feel sorry for someone: This usage expresses sympathy or compassion for another person's misfortune or difficult situation. For example, "Ich bedauere ihn wegen seines Verlustes" (I feel sorry for him because of his loss).

Grammar & Word origin

bedauern is a transitive, weak verb. Its principal forms are:

Präsens: bedauert
Präteritum: bedauerte
Perfekt: hat bedauert

The word is composed of the prefix be- and the root dauern. While the modern verb dauern usually means "to last" or "to take time," the root in bedauern stems from the Middle High German word dūren, which meant "to be painful" or "to cause sorrow." The prefix be- serves to make the verb transitive, directing the feeling of sorrow toward an object or person.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

bereuen : Used specifically when one feels personal guilt or remorse for one's own actions.
beklagen : To lament or mourn a specific circumstance.
bemitleiden : To feel pity for someone (corresponds to the second meaning of bedauern).
leidtun : An impersonal construction (es tut mir leid) used to express regret or sympathy.

Antonyms

begrüßen : To welcome or approve of a situation or decision.
bejubeln : To cheer or rejoice over something, showing the opposite of sorrow.
feiern : To celebrate, indicating joy rather than regret.