Vietnamese Grammar Bank
REGRET IN VIETNAMESE
In Vietnamese, there are few phrases to express regret or a sense of sorrow, wishing things were different, or acknowledging a missed opportunity.
This lesson will show you how to express regret in Vietnamese.
THẬT TIẾC LÀ = IT’S A PITY THAT…
“Thật tiếc là” means “It’s a pity that” or “It’s unfortunate that.” It’s used to express disappointment about a situation that has happened or is currently happening.
PATTERN
Thật tiếc là + clause
For example:
| Thật tiếc là tôi không thể tham dự buổi tiệc. | It’s a pity that I can’t attend the party |
| Thật tiếc là anh ấy không đồng ý với ý tưởng này. | It’s unfortunate that he didn’t agree with this idea |
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| Thật tiếc là chúng ta đã bỏ lỡ cơ hội đó. | It’s a pity that we missed that opportunity |
| Thật tiếc là thời tiết hôm nay không đẹp. | It’s unfortunate that the weather isn’t nice today |
| Thật tiếc là cô ấy đã từ chối lời mời của tôi. | It’s a pity that she declined my invitation |
| Thật tiếc là tôi không có đủ thời gian. | It’s unfortunate that I don’t have enough time |
GIÁ NHƯ = IF ONLY
“Giá như” expresses deep regret about unrealized scenarios, often referring to the past.
PATTERN
Giá như + clause
For example:
| Giá như tôi đã chăm chỉ hơn khi còn trẻ. | If only I had worked harder when I was young |
| Giá như cô ấy nhận lời cầu hôn của tôi. | If only she had accepted my proposal |
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| Giá như chúng ta đến sớm hơn một chút. | If only we had arrived a bit earlier |
| Giá như tôi có thể làm lại từ đầu. | If only I could start over |
| Giá như tôi biết trước điều này. | If only I had known this beforehand |
| Giá như anh ấy không rời đi quá sớm. | If only he hadn’t left too soon |
ĐÁNG LẼ RA = SHOULD HAVE
“Đáng lẽ ra” means “should have” or “ought to have,” highlighting regret for a missed responsibility or action.
PATTERN
Đáng lẽ ra + Clause
For example:
| Đáng lẽ ra tôi nên gọi cho anh ấy. | I should have called him |
| Đáng lẽ ra chúng ta không nên đi muộn. | We shouldn’t have been late |
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| Đáng lẽ ra tôi nên học chăm hơn. | I should have studied harder |
| Đáng lẽ ra anh ấy nên nghe theo lời khuyên của bạn. | He should have followed your advice |
| Đáng lẽ ra cô ấy không nên nói như vậy. | She shouldn’t have said that |
| Đáng lẽ ra tôi nên cẩn thận hơn. | I should have been more careful |
BIẾT VẬY THÌ = HAD I KNOWN
“Biết vậy thì” is used to express regret for a decision or action that could have been avoided
PATTERN
Subject + Biết vậy thì + Clause
For example:
| Biết vậy thì tôi đã không nói điều đó. | If I had known, I wouldn’t have said that |
| Biết vậy thì tôi đã đi sớm hơn. | Had I known, I would have gone earlier |
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| Biết vậy thì tôi đã không tin anh ấy. | If I had known, I wouldn’t have trusted him |
| Biết vậy thì tôi đã mang ô theo. | Had I known, I would have brought an umbrella |
| Biết vậy thì tôi đã không tiêu hết tiền. | If I had known, I wouldn’t have spent all the money |
| Biết vậy thì tôi đã nghe lời mẹ. | Had I known, I would have listened to my mom |
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FAQs
Can I use “đáng lẽ ra” in both spoken and written Vietnamese?
Yes, “đáng lẽ ra” is used in both formal and informal contexts, but it’s more commonly found in reflective or narrative speech and writing to express regret or missed opportunities.
What’s the difference between “thật tiếc là” and “đáng lẽ ra”?
“Thật tiếc là” simply expresses regret or sympathy over something unfortunate, while “đáng lẽ ra” suggests that something should have happened differently, implying a sense of missed obligation or expectation.
How do I use “biết vậy thì” in a sentence?
“Biết vậy thì…” means “If I had known, then…” and is usually followed by a statement indicating what the speaker would have done instead. It expresses regret based on hindsight.
Are there other common phrases to express regret in Vietnamese?
Yes, other expressions include giá mà (if only), ước gì (I wish), and lẽ ra (should have), all of which can express similar feelings of regret or missed chances.
What level of Vietnamese do I need to use these structures correctly?
These expressions are generally suited for learners at the B1 (intermediate) level or above, as they require some familiarity with conditional and past narrative forms.
Can I study in Vietnam with LTL?
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