to regret / pity
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to regret
To feel and express remorse about an action or a situation; to be sorry about it.
Wir bedauern sehr, Ihnen mitteilen zu müssen, dass der Flug gestrichen wurde.
We very much regret having to inform you that the flight has been canceled.
The prefix 'be-' is firmly attached to the verb and is not separated. It also remains at the beginning of the word in the past participle ('bedauert') and in subordinate clauses.
Ich habe sehr bedauert, dass du nicht kommen konntest.
I very much regretted that you couldn't come.
If you 'bedauern' (regret) a thing, an action, or a state, it means 'to feel remorse'. If you 'bedauern' (pity) a person, it means 'to feel pity'.
Ich bedauere diesen Fehler zutiefst.
I deeply regret this mistake.
To express what one regrets, a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that) or an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to) often follows.
Der Sprecher bedauerte, keine besseren Nachrichten überbringen zu können.
The spokesperson regretted not being able to deliver better news.
'Bedauern' (to regret) is often used in formal written and spoken communication, for example in business letters, official notices, or polite rejections.
Wir bedauern, Ihre Bewerbung nicht berücksichtigen zu können.
We regret that we are unable to consider your application.
to look forward / to be pleased
'freuen' and 'bedauern' are often opposites, especially in polite or formal sentences. With 'sich freuen über', you show a positive feeling about a situation. With 'bedauern', you show that you are sorry about a situation or find it unfortunate. 'Das freut mich' (I'm pleased to hear that / That pleases me) and 'Das bedauere ich' (I'm sorry about that / I regret that) are also clear opposites. 'freuen' fits when something is good or pleasant; 'bedauern' fits when something is unwanted, unfortunate, or has gone wrong.
Der Fahrer bedauert die Verspätung wegen des starken Regens.
The driver regrets the delay caused by the heavy rain.
Frau Wolf freut sich über die gute Rückmeldung ihres Teams.
Ms. Wolf is pleased about the good feedback from her team.