Definition
相见恨晚 is a four-character idiom (成语) expressing the regret of not having met someone wonderful sooner. It conveys a deep appreciation for a person you've just met — often a close friend, mentor, or soulmate — and the wish that the connection had started earlier. It's used in emotional, sincere contexts, not casually.
f.e.
to regret not having met someone earlierto wish one had met someone sooner
Examples
- ，相见恨晚！Gēn tā liáotiān zhēn kāixīn, zhēn shì xiāng jiàn hèn wǎn a!Chatting with him is so enjoyable — it's truly a case of 'wish we'd met sooner'!
- ，相见恨晚。Suīrán wǒmen cái rènshi, dàn wǒ yǒu xiāng jiàn hèn wǎn de gǎnjué.Even though we just met, I feel like we should have known each other long ago.
- ，相见恨晚，。Zhè bù xiǎoshuō lǐ, liǎng wèi zhǔjué xiāng jiàn hèn wǎn, hěn kuài jiù chéng le zhījǐ.In this novel, the two protagonists regret not meeting earlier and quickly become soulmates.
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