恨

hèn

忄 + 艮

HSK 2.0Level 5

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

hèn (verb) to hate

hèn (verb) to regret

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 忄 represents the meaning and 艮 represents the sound.

Semantic: 忄 Phonetic: 艮

About

The character 恨 is a phonosemantic compound: the radical 忄 (a variant of 心 'heart') on the left signals that the meaning relates to emotions, while the component 艮 on the right gives the sound. Its core meaning is intense hatred, animosity, or resentment toward someone or something. Additionally, it conveys deep regret, remorse, or sorrow over a missed opportunity or tragic outcome, carrying a lingering sense of grievance or unfulfilled desire.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这种行为很可恨。

Zhè zhǒng xíngwéi hěn kěhèn.

This kind of behavior is very hateful.

我对他没有任何恨意。

Wǒ duì tā méiyǒu rènhé hènyì.

I have no hatred towards him.

他悔恨自己犯的错误。

Tā huǐhèn zìjǐ fàn de cuòwù.

He regrets the mistake he made.

她心中充满了怨恨。

Tā xīnzhōng chōngmǎnle yuànhèn.

Her heart is filled with resentment.

即使被伤害，我也不恨你。

Jíshǐ bèi shānghài, wǒ yě bù hèn nǐ.

Even if hurt, I don't hate you.

如果你恨一个人，你会很难快乐。

Rúguǒ nǐ hèn yīgè rén, nǐ huì hěn nán kuàilè.

If you hate someone, you will find it hard to be happy.

他不仅恨对方的欺骗，还恨自己的轻信。

Tā bùjǐn hèn duìfāng de qīpiàn, hái hèn zìjǐ de qīngxìn.

He not only hates the other's deception, but also hates his own credulity.

在漫长的历史中，民族间的仇恨曾导致无数战争。

Zài màncháng de lìshǐ zhōng, mínzú jiān de chóuhèn céng dǎozhì wúshù zhànzhēng.

In the long history, hatred between ethnic groups has led to countless wars.

Related Characters

Component: 忄

Component: 艮

恨