What is the Kanji for 'Regret' and 'Frugal'? | 惜

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Regret' and 'Frugal', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Regret' and 'Frugal' is 惜.

kanji

惜

Meaning

Regret, Frugal

Reading

kunyomiお

onyomiせき

seki

Parts

忄昔Old times

Example Word

惜しい: regrettable. The Japanese adjective '惜しい (おしい)' primarily means 'regrettable' or 'a pity'. It is used to express a sense of regret or disappointment over something that is almost good enough, nearly successful, or just missed. It can also imply that something is valuable or precious and thus its loss or absence is felt deeply. For example: It's regrettable that you can't come「あなたが来られないのは惜しい」(あなたがこられないのはおしい). That was a close call, it's a pity you missed it「惜しい、もう少しで成功だった」(おしい、もうすこしでせいこうだった). The word can also be used to express reluctance to part with something due to its value, as in 'This book is too good to throw away, it's a pity to discard it'「この本は捨てるには惜しい」(このほんはすてるにはおしい).

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

966

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 惜

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

component

忄

kanji

昔

Meaning

Old times

Words Using 惜

This kanji is used in 2 words:

word

惜しむ

Meaning

Regret

word

惜しい

Meaning

Regrettable

Kanji Related to 惜 Through the Part 忄

These 29 kanji contain the part 忄 as well.

kanji

忙

Meaning

Busy

kanji

情

Meaning

Feeling, Emotion

kanji

性

Meaning

Gender, Sex

kanji

慣

Meaning

Accustomed

kanji

憶

Meaning

Remember, Speculate

kanji

快

Meaning

Pleasant

kanji

慢

Meaning

Ridicule, Arrogant

kanji

悩

Meaning

Worry, Distress

kanji

慎

Meaning

Prudent, Humility

kanji

悔

Meaning

Repent, Regret

kanji

惨

Meaning

Cruel, Wretched

kanji

怖

Meaning

Fearful, Dreadful

kanji

慌

Meaning

Flurried, Disconcerted

kanji

懐

Meaning

Bosom, Pocket

kanji

惰

Meaning

Lazy

kanji

慨

Meaning

Indignant, Sigh

kanji

恨

Meaning

Grudge

kanji

愉

Meaning

Pleased, Pleasure

kanji

悦

Meaning

Joy, Delight

kanji

悟

Meaning

Spiritually awakened, Comprehension

kanji

怪

Meaning

Weird, Suspicious

kanji

悼

Meaning

Mourn, Lament

kanji

憾

Meaning

Regret, Remorse

kanji

恒

Meaning

Constant, Always

kanji

憤

Meaning

Aroused, Indignation

kanji

惧

Meaning

Misgivings, Disquieting

kanji

慄

Meaning

Fear

kanji

憬

Meaning

Desire, Hanker

kanji

憧

Meaning

Yearn, Long for

Kanji Related to 惜 Through the Part 昔

These 3 kanji contain the part 昔 as well.

kanji

借

Meaning

Borrow, Rent

kanji

措

Meaning

Dispose, Set aside

kanji

錯

Meaning

Confused, Mixed up

Learn the Kanji 惜

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 惜 mean?

惜 means 'Regret' and 'Frugal'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Junior Highschool, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.