Definition
追悔莫及 is a four-character idiom meaning 'too late to regret' — it describes a situation where regret is useless because the damage is already done. The literal breakdown is 'pursue regret but cannot reach it', capturing the idea that you cannot undo the past. Use it to express deep remorse about a missed opportunity or a irreversible mistake, often in a self-reflective or warning tone.
f.e.
too late to regretto be unable to undo what has been done
Examples
- ，追悔莫及。Niánqīng shí méiyǒu nǔlì xuéxí, xiànzài zhuī huǐ mò jí.When I was young I didn't study hard, and now it's too late to regret.
- ，追悔莫及。Tā yīnwèi yìshí chōngdòng shuō le shāng rén de huà, shìhòu zhuī huǐ mò jí.He said hurtful words on impulse, and later it was too late to regret.
- ，追悔莫及。Jīhuì zhǐyǒu yí cì, cuòguò le jiù zhuī huǐ mò jí.There is only one chance; if you miss it, it will be too late to regret.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.