恨

Phono-semantic compound:

心 (heart, mind) – semantic, indicating emotion and inner feelings

艮 (Gen, one of the Eight Trigrams; here phonetic) – providing the sound

Originally denoted a lingering feeling of grief or dissatisfaction residing in the heart, later extended to regret and resentment.

Semantic range:

- deep sorrow, lasting grief (han, a uniquely Korean cultural concept);

- resentment, rancor, bitterness;

- regret, repentance for past actions;

- emotional pain tied to injustice, unfulfilled desires, or separation.

遺恨 (유한) – lingering regret

深恨 (심한) – deep resentment

痛恨 (통한) – bitter grief

悔恨 (회한) – remorse, repentance

千載恨 (천재한) – eternal sorrow, “regret lasting a thousand years”

In Korean culture, han (恨) carries a profound meaning: a collective sense of unresolved grief, injustice, or longing, often seen as a defining aspect of Korean emotional identity.

In Confucian texts, 恨 can also mean remorse or moral regret, associated with self-reflection and ethical cultivation.

In literature and poetry, 恨 often conveys themes of tragic love, unfulfilled longing, or national sorrow.