The Kanji: 憾 (Kan)
The kanji 憾 (read as kan) carries the core meaning of "regret," "remorse," or "dissatisfaction." It is composed of the radical 忄(heart/mind) and 感 (feeling), powerfully expressing a deep, heartfelt feeling of sorrow or disappointment about a situation that cannot be changed. This character conveys a stronger and more formal sense of regret than more common words.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 遺憾 (ikan)
Meaning: Regrettable; unfortunate; deplorable. This is a formal term often used in official statements.
Example Sentence: その決定は誠に遺憾です。
(Sono kettei wa makoto ni ikan desu.)
"That decision is truly regrettable."
2. 憾み (urami)
Meaning: A grudge; resentment; deep-seated regret.
Example Sentence: 彼は何の憾みもなく去っていった。
(Kare wa nan no urami mo naku satte itta.)
"He left without any resentment."
3. 憾む (uramu) - Verb
Meaning: To regret; to resent; to feel bitter about.
Example Sentence: 自分の過ちを深く憾んでいる。
(Jibun no ayamachi o fukaku urande iru.)
"I deeply regret my mistake."
In summary, 憾 is a potent kanji for expressing profound regret and resentment. It is most frequently encountered in the formal word 遺憾, used to convey official disappointment, but it also captures deep personal remorse (憾む) and lingering grudges (憾み).