penitence

IPA/ˈpenɪtəns/
IPA/ˈpenɪtəns/

penitence — 名詞

1. a feeling of deep sadness and regret that comes from understanding that somethin

1.名詞C1
釋義

懺悔；悔悟

因自知做錯事而難過自責

a feeling of deep sadness and regret that comes from understanding that something you did was morally wrong, often expressed through actions such as apologizing or trying to make up for the harm caused

例句

After the argument, Takeshi felt genuine penitence and wrote his sister a letter of apology.

爭吵過後，Takeshi 感到由衷的懺悔，寫了一封長長的道歉信給妹妹。

genuine penitence — adjective + noun for intensity

The priest told the congregation that confession without true penitence in the heart is empty.

牧師告訴會眾，心中若沒有真正的懺悔，光靠告解是沒有意義的。

religious context: true penitence in the heart

同義詞
  • remorse

    Stronger and more emotional; suggests lasting anguish, not just a passing feeling

  • contrition

    More formal and often specifically religious; implies sorrow motivated by a sense of having offended God or a moral law

  • repentance

    Implies a decision to change one's behaviour going forward, not just feel sorry about the past

  • regret

    Broader and less formal; can refer to mistakes with no moral dimension, such as missing an opportunity

反義詞
  • impenitence

    The direct opposite: lack of any sorrow or regret for wrongdoing

  • defiance

    Actively refusing to admit wrongdoing or to feel sorry

用法筆記

Unlike 'regret', which can apply to any unwanted outcome, penitence specifically involves a moral dimension — the recognition that one's action was wrong, not merely unfortunate. Common in religious, legal, and literary contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I felt penitence for missing the bus this morning.
✅I felt penitence for the hurtful things I said to my friend.
💡Penitence requires moral wrongdoing, not just an inconvenience.
❌She had penitence after failing the exam.
✅She had penitence after cheating on the exam.
💡The wrongdoing must be an intentional or morally blameworthy act.